ELAS+ in Climate Justice, Territories and Cities

WHAT WE DO

Since the first ELAS+ call for proposals, the fund has supported women's groups that are inextricably linked to the land, nature and the environment. It is out of this desire for a society free of patriarchal domination over nature, bodies and minds that ELAS+ launched its gender, racial and environmental justice program, Climate Justice, Territories and Cities.

Women are at the forefront of environmental protection and justice, bringing solutions from their territories while facing the main consequences of climate emergencies. Although it is common for women to be a fundamental part of the defense of territories and their communities, they still struggle in accessing resources, as most of the resources are destined for organizations and companies that are located far from their territories, reducing the effectiveness of the support and sometimes increasing the vulnerability of those communities.

HOW WE DO IT

ELAS+’s strategy in working with supported groups has three pillars: grantmaking, strengthening movements, and strengthening capacities.

The selected groups receive flexible support that can be used to strengthen their institutions. ELAS+ is a pioneer in this type of grantmaking in Brazil, and it was an achievement possible thanks to the trust between ELAS+, social movements, and partner organizations. Flexible resources allow groups to respond directly to the demands of their contexts, helping groups strengthen their movements as a whole.

ELAS+ also works to promote the decolonization of philanthropy, raising more and better resources for groups in the territories, influencing the philanthropic environment in defense of flexible support, and avoiding the imposition of colonizing or assimilationist ideals on organizations.

We understand that true social impacts are only possible starting from the territories and the provision of resources for the most affected populations. It is these groups whose influence must lead decision-making, the formation of public policies, and the supervision of the implementation of these policies, in addition to monitoring and reporting violations of their rights.

TIMELINE

  • 2000
  • 2014
  • 2016
  • 2022
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2023

ELAS+ foundation: 2000

Founded in 2000, ELAS+ aims to enable access to resources for groups led by cis and trans women to enhance their fight for racial and gender justice. Since its first Call for Proposals, ELAS+ has committed to supporting organizations led by women of color and indigenous peoples.

Bali Conference: 2014

Participation in the event with partners such as Global Greengrants Fund, The International Network Of Women's Funds, The Alliance Of Funds, Fundo Casa Socioambiental, among others. The goal of the summit was to promote collaboration among funds from various countries on this border-crossing issue.

Global Alliance for Green and Gender Actions (GAGGA): 2016

The GAGGA alliance, an initiative resulting from the Bali Conference, unites the potency of gender, climate, and environmental justice movements worldwide. In 2021, ELAS+ joined GAGGA officially, when the Alliance started to cover Brazil.

Research with Bertha Foundation: 2022

ELAS+ partnered to research the primary challenges confronting water defense groups led by women. Through active listening to indigenous women, quilombolas, marisqueiras, settlers, among others, ELAS+ discovered how these groups are battling against the government and large corporations. They also understood their tactics and how to provide support.

Initiatives supported in 2022

Among the 259 supported groups, 50 were led by indigenous people and more than 10 were quilombola groups. In addition to these, more than 40 non-indigenous groups worked on food sovereignty, adaptation to climate change in an urban context and on other issues related to socio-environmental justice.

“Philanthropy for Climate” commitment: 2023

The #PhilanthropyForClimate movement includes several national philanthropic pledges on climate change and the International Philanthropy on Climate Change Pledge.

ELAS+ in Climate Justice, Territories and Cities: 2023

To intensify the support that ELAS+ has already provided since its founding, the program was created to strengthen groups led by cis and trans women and other transidentities who defend their territories and nature in all Brazilian biomes. Furthermore, its development aims to influence philanthropy and social investors to increase the quantity and quality of resources targeted at women and their territories.