When the Systems Crumble: Reimagining Development through Collective Action

We’re no longer waiting for change, it’s already here. The global development and humanitarian assistance landscape is shifting fast, shaped by funding cuts, changing donor priorities, and the crumbling of traditional models. In Humentum’s powerful webinar, “Global Development and Humanitarian Assistance is Crumbling: A Conversation on What Happens Next,” sector leaders came together to unpack what these changes mean and how we move forward.

With urgent reflections like “the house is on fire,” the conversation cut through speculation to focus on action, how to rebuild with intention, equity, and local leadership at the center. From calls for radical solidarity to the importance of language and partnership, the dialogue emphasized one thing: the future of development lies in community-driven, collaborative, and context-aware systems.

Among the leading voices was Jacqueline Asiimwe, CEO of CivSource Africa, who passionately called for a shift from individualism to collective strength. Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, "I am because we are", Jacqueline emphasized the power of local giving, community-led philanthropy, and re-centering African agency in development. Her insights reminded us that long before external aid, African communities had systems of resilience, generosity, and growth that sustained them, and those systems remain vital today.

This is a moment to shift from dependency to shared responsibility, where local communities lead, language uplifts, and partnerships are grounded in trust and mutual respect. The question now isn’t whether change is coming. It’s how we rise to meet it.

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When the Systems Crumble: Reimagining Development through Collective Action