At Peace First, we recognize that for too long, the changemaking narrative has celebrated solo leaders the iconic figures whose passion and determination drive change. But the truth is, no changemaker works alone. Every transformative action is supported by the unseen hands of a community those who share their wisdom, resources, and encouragement to sustain the effort.
We, too, have been complicit in promoting this individualistic view. But today, we’re committed to changing that story. We believe that real, lasting impact is born not from isolated efforts, but from ecosystems of support. Changemaking thrives when individuals come together sharing ideas, amplifying each other’s voices, and fostering resilience through collective action.
That’s why we are proud to launch our Changemaking Communities initiative a bold step to create environments where changemakers of all ages and backgrounds can thrive together. These communities are not just spaces; they are engines of collaboration, designed to cultivate shared values, foster intergenerational mentorship, and inspire collective responsibility for creating a better world.
Changemaking starts with creating environments where individuals thrive together. The Ghana School Project was our inaugural effort to transform a local school into a beacon of collective impact. This initiative represented the heart of our vision investing not only in individual leaders but also in the ecosystems that nurture them.
Nestled in the vibrant coastal community of Teshie-Nungua, Ghana, Downsview International School has been a cornerstone of hope and opportunity for over three decades. Founded by Mr. and Mrs. Akoto—affectionately known as Grandpa and Grandma—the school embodies the spirit of community care, fostering a nurturing, family-like environment where children can grow and dream, even in the face of adversity.
- Repainted and revitalized classrooms, creating a more inspiring learning environment.
- Provided full year scholarships to students in need, breaking down financial barriers to education.
- Hosted a Day of Service, engaging students, teachers, and volunteers in mentorship and community building activities.
- Expanded the project’s impact, incorporating health screenings, cultural arts programs, and community engagement efforts.
The Ghana School Project set the foundation for building Changemaking Communities, ensuring that education, resilience, and collaboration remain at the heart of local transformation.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners at Motive8Global for helping us document and share the story of our first Changemaking Community. To everyone who contributed, whether through funding, volunteering, organizing, or sharing this journey we are profoundly grateful. This project is proof that when we come together with a shared vision, meaningful and lasting change is possible.
- Refine and elevate their brand identity, co-developing messaging tools and outreach strategies to better tell their story and expand their reach.
- Collaboratively develop curriculum tools rooted in a local context, while drawing on Peace First’s experience to support youth leadership.
- Explore and document best practices in meaningful grantmaking, engaging BHP to help shape our understanding around equitable funding.
Changemaking flourishes when rooted in trust, shared purpose, and community wisdom. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Solidaridad Internacional Kanda A.C. (SiKanda) into our Changemaking Communities initiative, an evolving effort to support grassroots organizations leading youth-driven change in their local contexts.
Based in Zaachila, Oaxaca, SiKanda brings deep experience in social inclusion and sustainable development. We will supporting the Visible Youth, a project supporting adolescents and young adults, particularly young women, through workshops, mentoring, and youth-led community action focused on leadership, gender equity, and peacebuilding.
Through our partnership on the Visible Youth project, we’re working together to:
- Support a cohort of 20 adolescents and young adults.
- Elevate local approaches to gender equity, peacebuilding.
- Center the lived experiences of Oaxaca’s youth.
This partnership is about more than program delivery. It is about co-creating approaches that honor lived experience, center local leadership, and uplift stories that too often go untold. SiKanda brings powerful insight to our global network, helping shape how we think about youth engagement and community-led change.
Peace First is proud to partner with ThriveHub as part of our growing Changemaking Communities initiative. This collaboration reflects our belief in long-term, trust based partnerships with grassroots organizations that are led by and for young people.
As part of this partnership, Peace First will work alongside ThriveHub to:
Provide access to custom changemaking tools and resources, including leadership curricula, storytelling guides, and content designed to support youth voice and visibility
Offer flexible funding to support ThriveHub’s ongoing work, with the encouragement to frame it as momentum-building support in tandem with local efforts
Strengthen visibility and shared learning, helping highlight ThriveHub’s impact across our global network through storytelling, digital platforms, and peer exchange
Uplift ThriveHub’s insights and expertise, contributing to a broader understanding of what sustainable, community-led youth change looks like in practice
This partnership is part of our commitment to walk alongside former Peace First grantees as they continue to grow, lead, and deepen their impact. ThriveHub exemplifies what it means to lead with care, creativity, and community and we are honored to support and learn from them in the months ahead.
