Have you ever helped a stranger or a neighbour carry their groceries, given directions to someone who was lost, or shared something they needed? That small feeling you get afterwards, that spark of warmth and meaning, is what local giving is all about: compassion toward those in need.
When someone says philanthropy, it might bring up different thoughts in your mind. For some, the word is associated with very wealthy and influential people or developed countries, characterized by big donations and generosity. But philanthropy is not for the wealthy alone it involves everyone who wants to make a difference.
From the 4th to the 9th of August 2025, the Philanthropy Week took place, where Open Space Centre, together with NGO Forum and organized and led activities under the theme “Celebrating and Reclaiming Giving.” The goal was simple yet powerful: to remind Ugandans that giving is not limited to the wealthy, but rooted in everyday compassion and what’s called community philanthropy. Community philanthropy drives local transformation by inspiring people to share their time, skills, and resources, turning everyday acts of giving into meaningful steps toward development.
The campaign invited young people aged 18–30, including youth leaders, youth out of school, volunteers, philanthropists, and community members, to participate.
Open Space Centre played a central role in bringing Philanthropy Week to people’s doorsteps through physical and online platforms, including social media engagement, street activations, radio appearances, and a survey on community giving among young people. Through a whole-of-society approach and the leadership of trusted youth voices, the week aimed to raise awareness and inspire local giving in communities. It also promoted philanthropy as a meaningful pathway to development rooted in everyday life.
The week kicked off with Street Activations in Kalerwe and Kibuye, where volunteers and skaters took to the streets to spread messages and celebrate community giving. Equipped with flyers, T-shirts, and placards, they engaged market vendors, boda riders, and community members in meaningful conversations that celebrated the heroes of local philanthropy.
OSC also mobilized and engaged youth leaders during the Annual National Philanthropy Symposium, creating a space for young people to share ideas, experiences, and solutions for strengthening a culture of giving. Their voices were further amplified through social media campaigns on X, Instagram, and TikTok using hashtags like #PhilanthropyWeek2025 and #GiveForGood to raise awareness and spread the message.
More young people got involved in storytelling at the Gathering of Givers event, where they took part in storytelling sessions to share personal experiences and lessons on giving. These engagements showcased inspiring stories of youth givers, encouraging others to take part in philanthropy within their own communities.
Furthermore, OSC researched community giving through an online survey that gathered insights from young people across Uganda’s Central, Western, Eastern, and Northern regions. The aim was to better understand youth perspectives and practices around philanthropy and community giving.
The findings revealed that:
91.8% of respondents have actively participated in giving initiatives showing that giving is already a common practice among young people.
These results align with the World Giving Report 2025, which ranked Uganda among the most generous nations globally. In 2024, 79% of Ugandans reported giving money, far above the global average of 64%.
At its heart, the campaign was about reclaiming the spirit of giving. It aimed to raise awareness of community philanthropy, inspire people to give and volunteer for social change, and shine a light on the everyday heroes whose quiet generosity sustains our communities.
Insights
Since 2020, Open Space Centre has been working in partnership with the Uganda National NGO Forum under the Philanthropy for Development Program. Together, various philanthropy-related initiatives have been held over the years including the Give for Good Campaign (2021) fire place conversations on giving and three National Philanthropy Symposiums, each with different themes.
The aim of these efforts has been to transform how development is done through local giving and recognizing the importance of domestic resources in increasing local ownership, unlocking agency, and strengthening communities’ ability to claim entitlements from all actors.
Writer’s thoughts
Philanthropy is more than charity. It’s about taking ownership of your community’s future. When Ugandans use the resources already around them, they shift from relying on external aid to driving their own sustainable development.
Generosity isn’t just money — it’s time, energy, skills, mentorship, and knowledge. What inspires your giving might be connection, purpose, or growth. Whatever motivates you, your actions shape who you become. Giving builds solidarity and reflects the Ugandan spirit of Ubuntu — strengthening communities and creating a culture of local giving.
For young people, this is a call to lead and be creative in shaping a shared vision for development. Big or small, every effort counts.
So ask yourself: What can I bring to the table — time, skills, creativity, compassion?
Whatever it is, it’s enough. And it’s exactly where change begins.
Take part in philanthropy. Love your community. Love your country. And be part of the change.
By Pernille Bjerg Sørensen (Intern)