VANI (Voluntary Action Network India)

14/07/2025

What does truly transformative development finance look like? “Financing Change”, a short documentary, sets out to answer this question.

Launched at , the film explores how civil society and public development banks can work together to shift power, centre community voices, and build more just and sustainable futures.
Through stories from the ground and insights from global actors, Financing Change makes a case for a new kind of partnership. This partnership is rooted in human rights, local leadership, and long-term vision.

A special thanks to the Forus international team for giving us this opportunity to be part of this powerful film.

What does truly transformative development finance look like? “Financing Change”, a short documentary, sets out to answer this question.Launched at , th...

10/07/2025

Glimpses from a consultation on “Strengthening Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Odisha” which was held at DRTC, Bhubaneswar, organised by VANI in association with CYSD, ICMAI Social Auditors Organization and IM - Individuell Människohjälp.

03/07/2025

Earlier today at in Seville, VANI co-convened a side event with VENRO, Abong, and CCRDA on Inclusive Multilateralism and the International Debt Architecture.

The session brought together experts from government, civil society, UN agencies, and academia to discuss how the global debt system must shift to support sustainable development and protect basic rights.

📸 Here are some glimpses from the discussion!

03/07/2025

🌍 Happening today at FfD4 in Seville

VANI is co-convening a critical side event with VENRO, Abong, and CCRDA on one of the most urgent global issues of our time:
Inclusive Multilateralism and the International Debt Architecture

📅 3 July | 🕧 12:30–14:00 CEST
📍 Side Event Room 15, FIBES, Seville
Rising debt burdens are pushing developing countries to the brink. It is undermining basic services in health, education, and social protection, and threatening fundamental human rights.
This high-level discussion brings together voices from government, civil society, academia, labour movements, and the UN system to ask:
What would a truly development-oriented debt architecture look like?
How do we move beyond piecemeal, creditor-driven approaches?
What coalitions and follow-ups are needed after ?

🎤 Speakers include:
Prof. Jayati Ghosh | Dr. Robert Plachta | Penelope Hawkins (UNCTAD)
A. Joel Odigie (ITUC-Africa) | Malina Stutz, Policy Advisor, erlaasjahr.de

This session is being moderated by Bodo Ellmers, Global Policy Forum Europe.

02/07/2025

Today in Seville, VANI participated in a side event at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, focusing on how public development banks and civil society can work together to make development more locally rooted and people-led.

The session - “Strengthening Relations Between Public Development Banks and Civil Society” - brought together speakers from the World Bank (CIVIC), ADB, AFD, EBRD, and civil society organisations including NNNGO, Bond, ABONG, ADA, Finance in Common, the Development Bank of Nigeria and VANI.

Our CEO Harsh Jaitli spoke about the need for meaningful civil society engagement in shaping development finance, and ensuring that community voices aren’t just heard, but respected and acted on.

A short documentary co-produced by VANI and Forus, which tells the story of a community affected by an Asian Development Bank-funded project, was also launched during the event. The film raises important questions around participation, accountability, and justice in financing decisions.

📸 Sharing a few moments from the event.

01/07/2025

Day 1 | 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
📸 Glimpses from the opening day - stay tuned for more updates!

30/06/2025

Last week, VANI was in Seville, Spain for the FfD4 Civil Society Forum - a gathering of global civil society voices demanding a just and accountable financial system.

As we head toward the official UN Financing for Development Conference (June 30 – July 3), one truth is clear: the fight for financial justice must be relentless. With rising inequality, shrinking aid, and deepening geopolitical divides, civil society’s role is more crucial than ever.

Organised by the global Civil Society FfD Mechanism and Spanish CSO platforms, the Forum ensures that the voices of the civil society of the Global South don’t sit on the sidelines but shape the agenda.

📢 Stay tuned for more updates!


CSO Financing for Development Mechanism

26/06/2025

VANI is in Berlin for the international conference “Ambition and Momentum – Financing Sustainable Development for Global Justice”, organised by VENRO along with VANI, Abong and CCRDA.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and shrinking development aid, this conference is a vital civil society intervention ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), set to take place in less than a week at Seville.

FfD4 is a crucial moment to rethink development financing to close the gap in climate and SDG funding, and push for partnerships rooted in justice and equity. It also offers EU a chance to step up as credible allies to the Global South.

In the picture: VANI’s Chief Executive Director, Harsh Jaitli, speaking on “International financing for sustainable development – What challenges does civil society face?” at the Berlin conference on Financing Sustainable Development for Global Justice.

19/06/2025

And that's a wrap from Day 3 of in Brussels! 🇧🇪

Today, we explored:

🔹 Human development & the Global Gateway
🔹 Locally-led, regional development case studies
🔹 Future of EU funding: Multiannual Financial Framework
🔹 Civil society’s role in shaping EU partnerships

We’re heading home with ideas, alliances, and a lot to follow up on.
Stay tuned in this space for more updates!

18/06/2025

📍 Day 2 | PFD Global Meeting 2025
Our member Dr. Pallavi Rekhi spoke on the panel “Enabling Environment: Standing Strong in the Storm. Civic space under threat, civic space under pressure.”

“The EU SEE is a powerful tool — but to make it meaningful, we need structured country-level dialogue and real support for small and medium CSOs.”
— Dr. Pallavi Rekhi

The Policy Forum on Development (PFD) Global Meeting 2025 is taking place in Brussels from 17 to 19 June. This year’s forum reflects a shifting landscape in EU external action - shaped by the Team Europe approach and the Global Gateway strategy.

As the new European Commission and Parliament begin their mandates, the PFD offers a space to discuss:
🔹 Financing gaps
🔹 Human rights
🔹 Locally-led development
🔹 The next EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework
🔹 Fragile states and the enabling environment

18/06/2025

Our Programme Lead, Dr. Pallavi Rekhi, is at the Policy Forum on Development (PFD) Global Meeting 2025 in Brussels from 17–19 June! 🇧🇪🌍

This year’s forum reflects a major shift in EU external action — with Team Europe and the Global Gateway strategy taking centre stage.

As the new European Commission and Parliament step in, the PFD is a key space to talk real solutions:
📌 Bridging financing gaps
📌 Protecting human rights
📌 Leaving no one behind in the global agenda

Discussions will dive into:
💡 Locally-led development
📊 The next EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework
🤝 Smarter funding, fragile contexts & enabling environments
We’re in the room. And we’re making sure civil society voices are heard loud and clear.