The McKnight Foundation’s Southeast Asia program recognizes that local people are in the best position to identify and implement community solutions to community resource rights and natural resource management. Yet, local, national, and global power imbalances can undermine local people’s ability to solve political, ecological, and social problems.
Given this situation, we are working to support the region’s capacity to solve problems in ways that are responsive to, inclusive of, and aligned with the voice of the community. And that requires:
- Local empowerment is paired with resources, skills, and connections.
- Local rights-based development is strengthened by partnership with non-governmental organizations and associations, donors, and networks.
- Global, regional, and national efforts are aligned to reinforce community empowerment.