Judith Neilson Foundation

In 2024, through our partnerships, we’ve seen real progress on some of the toughest challenges. Our 2024 Impact Report tells the stories of people at the centre of this work—developing innovative solutions and driving lasting change. Explore the report: https://lnkd.in/gzqqaaCt 📸Community-Led Total Sanitation initiative, Northern Uganda. © World Vision Australia. 📸The Marrickville workroom, Sydney. © The Social Outfit.

Behind every grassroots organisation supporting women in crisis is a team of passionate changemakers – like Christina Kasavetis. As a dedicated caseworker at the Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre), she supports women facing domestic violence and unsafe living conditions, helping them navigate the often overwhelming complexities of housing and legal systems. The Justice and Equity Centre is one of Australia’s leading independent law and policy organisations, committed to building a fairer, more equitable society. Through its Homeless Persons’ Legal Service - Women's Service, the Centre addresses the intersecting challenges of housing insecurity, civil law and criminal law faced by vulnerable women. Read more about their impact, and our investment in partnerships that are disrupting the cycle of incarceration and disadvantage for women in Australia: https://lnkd.in/gzqqaaCt

As we reflect on our journey in 2024, we're proud to have taught over 10,000 young Zimbabweans the fundamentals of computer coding. Thanks to our partners, donors, and the dedication of our entire team, we're making significant strides toward our mission of helping every child in Zimbabwe learn to code. This achievement brings us closer to our vision of empowering the next generation of Zimbabwean innovators. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/duQTV_iZ #Uncommon #Codingbootcamp

Bold action and local leadership are advancing cervical cancer prevention across Sub-Saharan Africa. In partnership with Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. we are investing in scaling innovative solutions like HPV self-testing to drive progress toward WHO’s 90-70-90 targets to eliminate cervical cancer. Read Mbuya Chawenga’s story, a community health worker in Zimbabwe who is transforming her backyard into a space for life-saving cervical cancer awareness and screenings. Her dedication is helping women like Tendai overcome barriers to care and access critical health services. ⬇️

As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve seen how sustainable farming can restore ecosystems, how better food systems can strengthen communities, and how women-led conservation can protect millions of acres in sub-Saharan Africa. 🌿 Community Markets for Conservation has trained over 335,000 Zambian smallholder farmers, including 26,000 supported through our partnership, in regenerative agriculture. These farmers are earning higher incomes while restoring biodiversity in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. 🍽️ In Rwanda, Solid'Africa trained 4,500 vulnerable farmers—nearly 60% women—to adopt regenerative practices. Their cooperatives supply produce for nutrition programs delivering 100,000+ meals annually to low-income patients in Kigali’s public hospitals. 💪 Akashinga invests in women’s leadership to protect 13 million acres of land and seascapes across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia—preserving biodiversity and redefining women’s roles in conservation. Discover more about our shared impact in our 2024 Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/gzqqaaCt

2024 has been a standout year for our First Nations-led partners, investing in community-driven change across Northern Australia. 💸 First Nations Futures is transforming the philanthropic landscape by shifting funding directly to Indigenous-led initiatives. This year, they distributed $340,000 in unrestricted funding to grassroots First Nations organisations—many receiving this type of flexible support for the first time. 🤝 Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation is transforming police and healthcare frontline responses to domestic violence through the Prevent. Assist. Respond. Training (PARt) program. Police described the training as “essential for all officers” and praised its focus on trauma-informed practices and cultural understanding. By elevating the voices and stories of victim-survivors, the program is reshaping how frontline services support First Nations women and families. 🌿 Karrkad Kanjdji Trust is elevating First Nations women's leadership through the Strong Women for Healthy Country Network. This year, 250+ First Nations women and girls gathered at the Strong Women for Healthy Country Network forum, sharing knowledge and strengthening connections. In a transformative step, the Network began its transition to becoming the Strong Women for Healthy Country Aboriginal Corporation, ensuring its future is led entirely by First Nations women. 📢 Read more in our 2024 Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/eYmJugEN

Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are highly social, intelligent primates native to Southern Africa, known for their playful and mischievous behaviour. Living in large troops, these fascinating creatures have a complex communication system, using specific alarm calls to differentiate between predators like snakes and eagles. This adaptability, along with their ability to thrive in various habitats, makes them an essential part of the ecosystem. However, vervet populations face increasing pressures from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal pet trade. At Akashinga, we are dedicated to protecting these habitats and ensuring that vervet monkeys, along with other wildlife, not only survive but thrive. Our conservation efforts are aimed at maintaining healthy ecosystems that support biodiversity for future generations. #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity #VervetMonkeys

In the 2023-2024 Financial Year, ReLove diverted 1,228 tonnes of furniture from landfill to help families escaping crisis. 🌍♻️ To put that into perspective, that's more weight than one of Sydney's iconic ferries. 🚢 With furniture one of the worst contributors to landfill in Australia, this effort not only conserves resources but also helps build a greener, more circular economy. 🌱 Thank you to our incredible donors, volunteers, and partners for making this possible. Together, we’re creating a more sustainable future—one piece of furniture at a time. 💜 #ReLove #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

Maggie’s career as a sports journalist in Sierra Leone ended abruptly when her advocacy against female genital mutilation made her a target. After surviving a violent, targeted attack, she fled her home, eventually seeking refuge in Australia. But safety proved elusive. Her initial application for asylum was denied, leaving her homeless and vulnerable on the streets of Sydney. With the support of Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS), Maggie appealed her case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Her solicitor worked tirelessly to gather the evidence needed, and this time her claim for protection was accepted. For the first time, Maggie felt her story was believed. “I cried because Australia has believed my story. For once, I will be accepted in this country”. Maggie has since rebuilt her life and is using her experience to help others. Now employed by the Jesuit Refugee Service, she advocates for women and girls seeking protection, offering the same support that once saved her.   RACS’ ‘Women at Risk’ program offers legal support to women facing or at risk of violence, assisting those seeking asylum in navigating the complex process of securing permanent protection visas. Discover the impact of RACS and other Australian grassroots organisations strengthening women’s access to legal services in our 2024 Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/gzqqaaCt

Meet Muofhe, Caren, and Nomfanelo—three entrepreneurs scaling their agribusinesses in Kenya and South Africa through ygap’s entrepreneur accelerator program. 🌿 Muofhe Ratshikombo founded Oumie's Grandè, turning a passion for traditional atchaar into a thriving agribusiness that supports organic farmers in Limpopo, South Africa. By sourcing locally, she reduces food waste, strengthens biodiversity, and creates rural jobs that help stabilise the local economy. 🐓 Caren Jopita runs Jopish Integrated Farm in Kenya, combining poultry farming with black soldier fly larvae production. Her farm turns food waste into high-protein animal feed and organic fertiliser, boosting farm yields, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating jobs through innovative waste management. 🚜 Nomfanelo Khanyile launched Esisipho K, growing her agribusiness from a 15-hectare farm to a supply chain powerhouse serving major retailers in South Africa. Her venture is also boosting rural economic development, employing locals and expanding into new markets. Explore how ygap and other innovative partnerships are creating economic opportunities across Africa in our 2024 Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/gzqqaaCt