Empowering Visionary Changemakers with Seed Funding for Global Transformation.
$1000
GRANTED EVERY DAY
CHANGEMAKERS
COUNTRIES ACROSS THE GLOBE
Seeding a community
of #changemakers
The Pollination Project is a collaborative Foundation that offers seed funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Our network of sixty five grant advisors and five country coordinators, each an expert in their respective fields, leads our funding decisions.
This participatory grantmaking process aligns with our ethos of empowering individuals on the front lines to effect positive change within their communities, cultures, and countries.
Beyond financial support, The Pollination Project Foundation assists grantees in taking their initial steps towards fundraising and offers first belief in their mission. Additionally, we offer capacity-building workshops, mindfulness retreats to prevent burnout, and resource navigation to ensure that our grantees’ work achieves tangible goals.
At TPP, we believe in people, so we invest in people.
#Heartivist
of the week:
Fábio Fula: Working to End Live Animal Exports in Brazil
Location: BRAZIL
With the help of The Pollination Project, the Carga Viva Não Movement has been growing and organizing increasingly to ban the export from the third-largest port in Brazil (São Sebastião), which exported around 136 thousand live animals in 2023. Brazil is the second-largest exporter of live animals in the world, trailing only Australia, and it exports animals on long sea voyages to countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Fábio is one of the members of the movement.
ShiftHappens: Our Blog:
The stories behind the grants
The Precious Art Initiative: Empowering Africa’s Next Generation
“Break the Bias” is a transformative initiative crafted to bridge the gap experienced by visually impaired women in Lagos (Nigeria) in acquiring fundamental digital and communication skills necessary for navigating today’s world.
Thanks to the support of the TPP grant, Oluwakemi Odusanya, disability-rights advocate and journalist, empowered 25 women with newfound confidence in communication, both written and verbal, mastering essential computer skills with screen readers, and elevating their abilities in public speaking, debate, critical thinking, and research.
Girls’ Pride: Inspiring Generational Change to End Period Poverty
“Break the Bias” is a transformative initiative crafted to bridge the gap experienced by visually impaired women in Lagos (Nigeria) in acquiring fundamental digital and communication skills necessary for navigating today’s world.
Thanks to the support of the TPP grant, Oluwakemi Odusanya, disability-rights advocate and journalist, empowered 25 women with newfound confidence in communication, both written and verbal, mastering essential computer skills with screen readers, and elevating their abilities in public speaking, debate, critical thinking, and research.
Working to End Live Animal Exports in Brazil
Every human being is born into a place, immersed under determined circumstances, and surrounded by certain people; those are things we cannot avoid. Yet, we all can work towards making a change for the better in every aspect. It is precisely that hope that has been...
“We’re very grateful for the Pollination Project’s support. This organization was the first (outside of our first supporters) to believe in our mission.
As a result of this grant, we have gained credibility in the refugee community and will be able to continue to grow and work towards achieving our mission.”
Linnie Pawlek, Financial Literacy For Refugees
Colorado, USA
Profiles in compassion: The Story of Lava Mae
Find out how a small donation of $1000 helped launch a successful national model for homeless services. The Pollination Project makes small startup grants every single day of the year- all over the world.
A look behind the scenes
#helpthehelpers
He`s making a positive change!
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Sergio Gonzales is the president of Earth Mission. He`s new project aims to open hearts and minds about the importance of treating farm animals with love and respect. Through exciting rescues and interactive experiences, he demonstrates to both young and old that these animals feel emotions and deserve a full life, just like any other living being. 🌱🐮
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Are you an animal advocate? Join us to create a more empathetic and aware world!
@earth_mission_
#animalrights #animaladvocacy #animalwelfare #compassion #empathy #heartivism
The impact a seedgrant 🧡
@adolescent_girls_coach
Working to establish the first animal law NGO in Brazil 🧡
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Meet Letícia Filpi, the visionary founder of GAAV (Grupo de Advogadas Animalistas Voluntárias) or Group of Volunteer Animal Lawyers. Letícia and her team are working to transform animal welfare laws in Brazil, especially for farmed animals. 🐮🐷
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🔍 Their current project is all about pushing for legal change through strategic advocacy. They`ve taken bold steps by filing public civil actions against São Sebastião`s municipality and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. Their fight addresses critical issues like live animal export, and harmful practices in dairy and livestock farming, including the separation of calves from cows, debeaking, ear tagging, and intensive confinement.
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🏛️ The ultimate goal? To establish a pioneering animal law organization in Brazil, inspired by successful models in the US and UK. This will be a game-changer, creating a stronghold for legal advocacy, educational initiatives, and policy reform to protect our animal friends.
📢 Here’s how you can help:
1️⃣ Legal Protection & Welfare Improvements: Support their legal battles to end live animal exports and enhance farming practices, ensuring animals live better, more respected lives.
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2️⃣ Animal Law Organization: Help lay the groundwork for this new organization, which will spearhead the movement for animal rights in Brazil.
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3️⃣ The Pollination Project: Support the Global Animal Advocacy Program of The Pollination Project, that is helping hundreds of animal advocates all over the world.
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Every action counts for a kinder, more just world for animals. Share, support, and stay tuned for more updates and more projects!
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@andanews
At The Pollination Project we have funded and supported over 60 life-changing projects about Menstrual Hygiene Management so far. These initiatives are making a profound impact, helping countless women and girls access the resources and support they need.
"If the rural youth disappears, the city goes hungry." 🍅 🥬
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An important project from Brazil: "Healthy Farmer, Healthy Food" is dedicated to transforming the future of low-income and small farmers in Brazil`s rural areas by merging tradition with innovation.
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The project addresses the exodus of rural youth to cities and the struggles of small family farmers. By offering education, agroforestry, veganism, yoga classes, and cultural activities, it aims to make rural life appealing and sustainable.
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Key activities include:
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✳️ Education: Workshops and training on modern farming, sustainability, and market strategies.
✳️ Agroforestry: Integrating agriculture with forestry to boost biodiversity and soil health.
✳️ Veganism: Promoting plant-based diets and sustainable crop production.
✳️ Yoga Classes: Enhancing farmers` mental and physical well-being.
✳️ CulturalEngagement: Celebrating rural heritage through events and exhibitions.
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The project has already achieved significant milestones, including the donation of a 1-acre land with a building, a supportive network of over 20 volunteers, and backing from the local government and partner organizations. "Healthy Farmer, Healthy Food" envisions a future where Brazil`s small farmers thrive, cultivating sustainable agriculture and rich cultural traditions.
#heartivism
🐟🐔 Enhancing Animal Welfare in Uganda: A New Initiative for Fish and Chickens! 🐔🐟
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We just funded an exciting new project dedicated to improving the lives of farmed animals in Uganda, with a special focus on fish and chickens.
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Fish and chickens make up 67% and 17% of Uganda`s farmed animal population, respectively. Recognizing their significant presence, Junior Waako started YAVA (Youth for Animals and Veganism Africa) to prioritize these species by developing comprehensive, species-specific guidelines that cater to their unique needs.
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The project`s core mission is to enhance animal welfare standards and mitigate the negative impacts of industrialized farming practices. By creating tailored guidelines, it seeks to promote humane farming practices, ensuring a better quality of life for fish and chickens throughout the country.
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This initiative targets a significant portion of the farmed animal population, maximizing its impact on overall animal welfare in Uganda. By focusing on fish and chickens, it aspires to create a more compassionate and sustainable future for all farmed animals in the nation.
Changing the world one grant at a time !
#womenrights #genderequality #gratitude #seedgrant
⭐ Unmute the Spirit: Dancing through the beauty of inclusivity 💃
“Unmute the Spirit” is a book project launched by Christelle Dreyer and Silva Laukkanen of Tractus Arts to change perceptions and increase representation in popular literature for people with disabilities, especially children, by sharing a story of dreams and resilience.
It is more than just a book for children; it is a testament to the power of resilience, dreams, and the transformative power of dance. Through the heartfelt story of Tumi, a young boy who navigates the challenges of becoming Deaf and discovering his passion for dance, this project aims to uplift the voices of those often unheard and inspire a new generation of understanding and inclusion.
With the support of The Pollination Project and the vision of Tractus Arts, "Unmute the Spirit" brings to life a story that promises to touch hearts and change minds.
“With this colorful and dynamically illustrated children’s book we aim to lift the voices of people with disabilities, and to show students that having a disability doesn’t have to stop you from dreaming, and achieving those dreams. With The Pollination Project support for creation of the audio and Sign Language versions, Tumi’s story can become accessible to and enjoyed by all children of South Africa, and beyond.”
Read more on our website
https://thepollinationproject.org/unmute-the-spirit-dancing-through-the-beauty-of-inclusivity/
@tractusart
#inclusivity #disabilities #dance #childrenbooks #danceforchildren #resilience #heartivism #cartoons #inspiringstories #peoplewithdisabilities #dancepassion #nobarriers #believeinyourdreams #thepollinationproject #seedgrant
🎉✨ We are thrilled to celebrate our incredible grantee and advisor, Chimwemwe Chitambala, and her amazing organization, Embrace Her, as they launch the "Young Women Startup Boot Camp"! 💼🔥
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This inspiring initiative has brought together innovative and ambitious young women startup entrepreneurs, all working to create impactful solutions with their products and services. From energizing brainstorming sessions to invaluable networking opportunities, every moment was charged with passion and drive.
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Founded with support from The Pollination Project in 2017, Embrace Her provides microloans, financial literacy, and business support to young women in Zambia.
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Chimwemwe`s impact so far:
🌟 Funded 97+ young women
🌟 Mentored 100+ young women
🌟 Reached 800+ young people
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Join us in celebrating Chimwemwe and the incredible young women of Embrace Her who are shaping the future! 🚀👩💼💖
@embrace_her_zm
#womenempowerment #girlsempowerment #microloans #microeconomy #womenInbusiness #startupbootcamp #empowerher #ThePollinationProject #youngentrepreneurs #zambiarising #heartivist
Lakshman Molleti’s work seems simple enough at first glance: he gives away earth-friendly water bowls throughout India to ensure that the millions of stray dogs, cows, monkeys, birds, and other animals have access to clean water.
"It Began with a Water Bowl," is the movie adaptation of the book "The Journey of Bunty and Chinku,", written by Lakshman.
This story is meticulously crafted with the primary goal of inspiring, motivating, and instilling a sense of responsibility across all age groups towards community building, particularly in the often neglected realms of animal welfare and the environment.
The Pollination Project partnered with @molletilakshman since the very beginning of Lakshman’s project Animals Water Bowl Project (AWBP) Trust with a grant in 2018 and one in 2019.
To date, Lakshman Molleti:
🐶 distributed 5500+ water bowls
🐶 organized 120 educational events
🐶 educated 35,000 people on animal welfare both in person and online
🐶 impacted 15000+ animals /day.
You can follow Laksham and his organization AWBP Trust on
Instagram at @awbptrust
YouTube at @AWBPTrust
Facebook at @awbptrust
Website https://awbptrust.org/
#animalrights #animalwelfare #vegan #plantbased #veganlifestyle #nocruelty #crueltyfree #heartivism #grants #animaladvocacy #straydogsindia #straydogs #seedgrants #animalactivist
Stories of #Heartivism: "Break the Bias" is a transformative initiative crafted to bridge the gap experienced by visually impaired women in Lagos (Nigeria) in acquiring fundamental digital and communication skills necessary for navigating today`s world.
Thanks to the support of the TPP grant, Oluwakemi empowered 25 women with newfound confidence in communication!
🌍 "A Good Cage is an Empty Cage" 🐔
Meet Sanele Ndlovu from Zimbabwe, a passionate advocate for animal welfare! 🌟 She founded Nurture Imvelo Trust to challenge and change the harsh realities of animal farming. 🚜
Did you know chickens are some of the most abused animals globally? 🐣 They`re often kept in tiny cages, barely larger than an A4 sheet of paper, unable to spread their wings. 🚫 Sanele`s mission with her campaign "A Good Cage is an Empty Cage" aims to end the use of these cruel battery cages.
📢 Join her in spreading awareness and promoting a cage-free life for chickens. Let`s support compassionate treatment that respects all sentient beings! 🕊️ Together, we can make a difference.
👉 Swipe up to learn more and see how you can help!
@nurtureimvelotrust
@animalchangemakers
#animalrights #cagefree #animaladvocacy #freehens #zimbabwe #animalactivism
CONGRATULATIONS to our grantee and Lead Advisor in Health and Wholeness, Ben Kilama!
He has just taken on the role of "Disability Inclusion Facilitator" (DIF) with Light for the World, a non governmental organization with a vision to build an inclusive world where people with disabilities fully engage and participate in economic development and enjoy equal rights.
In this role, he`s going to be supporting the "We Are Able! Project" which is a partnership project with five partners (Light For The World, ZOA International, NUDIPU-Uganda Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda, VNGI and The Hague Academy for Local Governance in Northern Uganda) to achieve two main outcome: inclusive land rights and inclusive food security.
"I want to appreciate TPP for making this happen. This success is traceable from the grant that we got from TPP which exposed me, my work, and my cause to the community and other organizations which are committed to the same cause.
Seriously, from Health and Wholeness to inclusive land rights and inclusive food security, I envision the sky to be the limit."
We are very proud of you, Ben!
#foodsecurity #health #inclusivity #uganda
Our seed grants often provide crucial initial funding, allowing changemakers to kickstart projects, conduct research, or implement innovative ideas.
Our grantees` words of gratitude are the best reward 🧡
#philanthropy #grantmaking #grants #heartivism #changemakers #activism #nonprofit #volunteer
🔸🔸🔸"Legal action against animal slaughterhouse in Uberaba" 🔸🔸🔸
We recently supported the project of the Animal Rights Lawyer, Giseli Cheim, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Giseli Cheim and the organization @anaa_associacaoadvanimalista aim to initiate a Popular Action urging the municipality, Minas Gerais state, and the Federal Government to enforce international animal welfare standards. This entails continuous municipal inspection and ultimately, the closure of the facility. The strategy involves legal measures to compel authorities, including the federal government, to address inhumane practices, with proposed meetings aimed at enhancing inspection protocols to alleviate animal suffering.
#animalrights #animalwelfare #vegan #animallawyer #nocruelty #crueltyfree #heartivism #grants #animaladvocacy
#direitosanimais #abolicionismoanimal #direitoanimal #bioetica #filosofia #etica #crueldade #pecuaria #entretenimentohumano #brazil #violacaodedireitofundamental #veganismo #vegan #protecaoanimal
🌟 Refugee Women are Creating Their Own Incomes and Opportunities in Uganda 🌟
Last year we supported Clay Cosmo`s project addressing the pressing financial challenges faced by refugee women, who constitute a significant 81% of Uganda`s refugee population.
Thanks to our grant, the project has achieved important milestones in fostering the empowerment of refugee women through skill development and entrepreneurship. 30 resilient women from Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda were carefully selected to participate in an intensive training program focused on organic skincare production.
With access to crucial resources provided by the grant, including training materials, safety equipment, and transportation support, these women started a transformative journey. They not only acquired practical skills in soap and shampoo making but also developed their entrepreneurial acumen, laying the foundation for their own businesses.
Despite challenges such as weather disruptions, the project persevered, ensuring the success of the training program. Now, 65% of refugee women have emerged as confident entrepreneurs, poised to make meaningful contributions to their communities while securing sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.
Moreover, the project has extended its impact to include younger participants, with 35% of individuals aged 18 to 25 joining innovation classes, fostering a culture of creativity and resourcefulness among the youth.
The TPP grant has played a pivotal role in catalyzing this positive change, empowering refugee women to chart their paths toward self-reliance and economic independence. Their success stories serve as powerful examples, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and embrace opportunities for growth.
@claycosmo
#refugeewomen #empoweredwomen #skincare #entrepreneurship #supportwomen #uganda
#heartivism #philanthropy
Meet Stefania Prandi, an Italian journalist and photographer. Recently honored with the third prize in the "Outstanding Investigative Reporting" category at the Fetisov Journalism Award in Geneva, Stefania’s groundbreaking work titled “The Bitter Taste of Kiwis” exposes the exploitation of Indian workers in the kiwi supply chain of Italy`s Lazio region.
This achievement is just one highlight in Stefania’s career, marked by a relentless pursuit of justice. Since 2016, she’s been uncovering social injustices, particularly those affecting women.
In her early project, “Oro Rosso, The Other Side of Farmland” (2016), Stefania shed light on immigrant female workers facing exploitation and harassment in Italian agriculture. Supported by a TPP grants, her work expanded internationally, addressing similar issues in Morocco and Spain.
In “The Consequences” (2019) - also supported by a TPP grant - Stefania confronted Italy’s alarming rate of femicide, revealing the profound impact on families and communities. Through intimate portraits and stories, she brought attention to the lasting effects of gender-based violence.
Continuing her advocacy, Stefania’s 2021 report “Bitter Strawberries” exposed the exploitation of migrant women in Spanish strawberry fields. And in 2022, “The Distant Mothers” highlighted the human cost of intensive agriculture in Eastern countries.
Stefania’s tireless commitment to social justice has earned her international acclaim. Through her work, she challenges norms, amplifies marginalized voices, and inspires change worldwide. Her impact in investigative journalism resonates globally, leaving an enduring legacy of empowerment and awareness.
#investigativejournalism #genderbasedviolence #femicide #stefaniaprandi #workexploitation #ororosso #theconsequences #socialjustice #heartivism #photography #fetisovjournalismaward #womensupportingwomen
This month we reflect on the incredible projects we supported empowering women worldwide. Since 2012, The Pollination Project has been a catalyst for change, funding over 2,300 projects led by women, with nearly 1,000 projects specifically aimed at empowering women and girls.
Spanning across 77 countries, these projects form a vibrant mosaic of initiatives, each contributing to the greater goal of gender equality. Despite the diversity of backgrounds and cultures represented, there is a common thread of resilience and determination woven through the stories of these women. Whether they are mothers, daughters, activists, journalists, doctors, or teachers, they share a commitment to lifting each other up and effecting positive change in their communities and society at large.
Heartivists like Saba Khalid, an award-winning social entrepreneur, public speaker, activist and journalist from Karachi, Pakistan. She`s the creator of Raaji, an animated series by a Pakistani women`s empowerment digital platform Aurat Raaj. Saba uses animated characters and powerful storytelling to tackle a taboo topic. From honour killing to child marriages, the series educates, empowers and entertains young Pakistani adolescent girls with content that can save their lives and reduce shame surrounding gender issues. The platform came into existence in response to the rising number of honour-based-violence in South East Asia. Besides the TPP seed grant, the series has been also supported, appreciated and shared by The Do School, UNICEF and UN Women Pakistan.
#genderbasedviolence #gbv #honourkilling #childmarriage #womenempowerment #socialjustice #heartivism #womensupportingwomen
@unwomenpakistan
@unicef
@raaji_menstrual_chatbot
Monica Wang, a graduate of Yantai University in China, founded Xiaobu Vegan to promote veganism in her homeland. Having grown up in Guangxi with little early connection to animals, her perspective changed after moving to Shanghai and working at Plant Based Consulting. Her vegan journey began alongside rescuing two cats and a Japanese Akita, Meng Meng.
Xiaobu Vegan, established in 2020, uses educational videos, restaurant collaborations, and initiatives like the "Vegan Challenge" to advocate for plant-based diets. Supported by The Pollination Project, the organization aims to influence dietary habits and encourage compassion through its growing platform.
Read more on our website👇
[https://thepollinationproject.org/would-you-eat-your-best-friend]
#xbvegan #vegan #veganchina #animaladvocacy #animalrights #compassion #china #heartivism @animalchangemakers