The newest member of the Greengrants Alliance of Funds announces its launch! Fondo Accion Solidaria (Solidarity in Action Fund) of the Northwest region of Mexico has been two years in the making, and it has now formally incorporated and is in the process of finalizing legal registration as a Mexican nonprofit. Executive Director Artemisa Castro Felix says, “We feel that this is an opportunity to be part of aiding our people’s need for a better life. It is an honor for us to be leading this new organization.”
Founded by members of the Greengrants Mexico Advisory Board, Accion was created in order to increase local philanthropy and offer greater support for grassroots socio-environmental initiatives. Much nonprofit work in Mexico is funded by US contributors, and Accion has seen the difference that small grants can make. It feels strongly that Mexicans need to increase their commitment to community-based initiatives. Accion’s launch has been made possible by $5,000 in local contributions – a new step for philanthropy and grassroots commitment to social change for Northwest Mexico. This is especially important given that communities in this region have often been divided over the politics of money.
Accion will make grants in five states of Northwest Mexico–Baja California Norte and Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit–around issues of coastal resource management, community engagement, and biodiversity protection. Its vision is to catalyze a socio-environmental movement that promotes grassroots solidarity in action to make Northwest Mexico an exemplary region for sustainable development. One of the founding members of Accion notes, “I believe that Accion Solidaria, as a connector between local initiatives as well as regional initiatives, will add significant value to all kinds of socio-environmental projects.”
Accion will also continue to make grants for Global Greengrants Fund as it did previously as an Advisory Board, but because of its formalized local presence, it will be able to provide additional support and increase the profile of grassroots action in the region. In the long run, the partnership of the Greengrants Alliance of Funds will enable more resources to move to those who need them most, strengthening a movement towards environmental sustainability in Northwest Mexico.
Fondo Accion Solidaria joins the other members of the Greengrants Alliance of Funds – Global Greengrants Fund (USA), Samdhana Institute (Southeast Asia), and the Center for Socio-Environmental Support (CASA-Brazil).