The Resilio Fund is the fourth collaborative fund launched by Legatum, building on a four-year pilot across seven countries where over 1,000 micro-grants were distributed by local NGOs, reaching more than 500,000 people. These grants enabled communities to quickly restore essential services and enhance resilience against future shocks by supporting activities such as repairing wells, clearing roads, and distributing seeds and tools. The model has demonstrated speed, cost-efficiency, and respect for the dignity and agency of affected communities.
Legatum has committed $10 million as the Founding Donor for the Resilio Fund, with three leading philanthropic institutions confirmed as Anchor Donors: the Vitol Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, and the Irene M Staehelin Foundation. Additional donors are expected to be announced in the near future.
The Resilio Fund adopts an innovative, survivor- and community-led approach to crisis response. Grants are provided to local NGOs, which then distribute trust-based micro-grants to grassroots community groups. These groups use the funds flexibly to address urgent needs such as emergency food and water, infrastructure repair, and livelihood support through agriculture and trade.
This model contrasts with traditional top-down humanitarian funding, which can be hindered by bureaucracy and external control. Instead, the Resilio Fund emphasizes trust, flexibility, and proximity, recognizing the capacity of local communities to lead effective crisis responses when supported appropriately.
The partnership with anchor donors strengthens a commitment to community resilience by empowering local organizations to lead crisis response and recovery efforts. This approach is seen as more effective and rooted in the needs and agency of those directly affected by crises.
The Resilio Fund aims to set a new standard in humanitarian response by centering local communities in crisis relief efforts, ensuring aid is delivered rapidly and with respect for dignity. By empowering hyper-local groups—those who respond first and best understand their needs—the fund seeks to provide immediate support while also building long-term community resilience. This approach represents a shift toward a more effective and equitable model for global humanitarian aid.
Legatum plans to announce the inaugural CEO of the Resilio Fund soon, marking the next stage of the initiative’s development. Discussions with additional prospective donors are ongoing, with further announcements anticipated later this year.
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