Photo credit: Adeline Nieto
During the 2025 UN General Assembly (UNGA), Trickle Up, Village Enterprise, and Cisco co-hosted a dynamic panel discussion titled “Beyond Aid: Partnering with Governments and Communities to Drive Change,” moderated by Doris King of Co-Impact. The event gathered leaders from civil society, governments, and local communities to explore how economic inclusion initiatives can evolve from small-scale pilots to government-owned programs capable of transforming lives at scale.
Centering Voices from the Frontlines
Charu Adesnik of Cisco, a longtime advocate for digital equity, opened the conversation by emphasizing the potential of technology to enhance development outcomes when paired with community-led design and local ownership.
Lauren Hendricks, President and CEO of Trickle Up, framed the conversation by stating, “strong government partnerships are essential, but they aren’t a quick route to scale.” While NGOs often move faster, real systemic change requires adapting to existing government systems and aligning with their priorities. This theme of long-term, trust-based collaboration resonated across all speakers.
From Implementers to Enablers
Taddeo Muriuki, Chief Government Relations and Technical Assistance Officer at Village Enterprise, shared his organization’s transition from directly implementing programs to providing technical assistance to governments. “We realized we couldn’t scale just by working on the ground ourselves. It’s governments that have the legitimacy and reach,” he explained. Rather than running programs independently, Village Enterprise now focuses on building the capacity of public systems—developing curriculum, advising on policy, and supporting implementation infrastructure—so governments can sustainably lead.
This model is already showing results. Dr. Lynett Ochuma, who leads Kenya’s national Economic Inclusion Program, described how her team has reached over 15,000 households with support from Village Enterprise and other partners. Initially launched with basic cash transfers, the program evolved to include a more comprehensive graduation approach after realizing that financial assistance alone wasn’t enough. “We needed a complementary graduation program,” she noted, underscoring how mentorship and digital systems proved crucial in achieving lasting impact.
Local Government as a Force for Change, if the Politics Allow
In Guatemala, Trickle Up has spent more than a decade working with municipalities to embed graduation programs into local development plans. César Ivan Juárez Barrientos, who leads this work, emphasized that securing local government buy-in requires persistent engagement and strategic alignment. “The biggest failure points,” he explained, “are politically divided municipal councils and mayors who don’t prioritize poverty reduction.” Over time, the team has learned to work where there is clear political will and to formalize partnerships early—training government staff, building technical teams, and helping secure seed capital to drive implementation.
Community leader Dulce Bibiana Cú Icó shared firsthand how this work is transforming lives in Santa María Cahabón, where 63% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Through a program that trains 200 women across 15 communities in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, women are forming savings groups and gaining autonomy. “We’re seeing visible transformation at the household and community level,” she said, highlighting the importance of centering women in economic inclusion efforts.
Navigating Gender Dynamics in a Digital World
As technology becomes a cornerstone of economic inclusion, panelists reflected on its benefits and limitations. A Village Enterprise team member noted that providing smartphones to female entrepreneurs was a promising strategy, but sometimes created unintended challenges. “In some cases, their husbands or children took the smartphones, leaving the women unable to access the technology,” she shared. This experience led the organization to shift toward more holistic, household-level interventions, such as involving both partners in training sessions to address power imbalances and promote shared ownership of tools and outcomes.
These interventions are not just technical fixes; they spark cultural shifts. When women start earning income, perceptions within the household begin to change. Women are seen as contributors, not dependents, and this can reshape family dynamics in powerful ways.
Scaling with Integrity and Patience
As the discussion came to a close, Lauren Hendricks reminded the audience that technology alone isn’t a silver bullet. “Technology is a great enabler, but it’s not perfect. We’re all trying to figure out how to take these programs to the next level without losing the elements that make them work: trust, mentorship, and community ownership.” The challenge lies in finding the right balance between scale and fidelity: growing programs without diluting what makes them effective.
Doris King of Co-Impact echoed this sentiment, urging funders and implementers alike to embrace a longer timeline for change. “To create systemic change, we need to give our partners the time, resources, and space to dream—five years, not five months.” Her call underscored a fundamental truth: scaling economic inclusion isn’t just about expanding reach; it’s about building resilient systems that last.
Key Takeaways
- Government partnerships are essential for scale, but success depends on long-term commitment, trust, and alignment with public systems.
- NGOs must shift their roles from implementers to enablers, supporting capacity-building within government.
- Local political will is a determining factor in whether municipal programs can take root and grow.
- Technology and mentorship are powerful accelerators, but must be designed with gender equity and household dynamics in mind.
- Human connection still matters. Face-to-face coaching, trust, and community leadership remain at the heart of lasting change.
As the development sector moves beyond aid, this conversation offered a powerful reminder: lasting, inclusive progress is only possible when NGOs, governments, funders, and communities collaborate in partnership to build systems that are not just bigger, but better.
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