ABOUT EGA

WORKING GROUPS

EGA currently supports two working groups, for funders who wish to focus more specifically on a certain issue area. Interested in starting another working group with other funders? Let us know how we can help.

Funders Network on Trade and Globalization

FNTG emerged out of a series of briefings organized by the Environmental Grantmakers Association and the Consultative Group on Biodiversity in Seattle during the 3rd Ministerial Meetings of the World Trade Organization towards the end of 1999. Over 40 funders attended these briefings and civil society-led events during those dramatic days, and a decision was made soon after to launch a new network devoted to trade and broader globalization issues.

FNTG is for grantmakers who care about human rights, democracy, peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The starting point for FNTG is that globalization matters to these issues. While each of our perspectives on globalization may differ, as grantmakers we share a common commitment to a more just and sustainable society. As a consequence, globalization and its impacts—good and bad—matter to all of us.

For more information, please visit the FNTG website at www.fntg.org or email Mark Randazzo, FNTG coordinator, at mark@fntg.org.

The Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption

The Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption supports foundations and individual donors in their efforts to promote a shift to a more sustainable economy and culture. The Workgroup grew out of a concern that our economic practices and policies are increasingly in direct conflict with sustainable development. In particular, US consumption and production patterns, based on the principles of maximizing growth and acquisition, are the root causes of many major environmental problems.

The Workgroup works with grantmakers to examine the links between economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and economic justice. The Workgroup represents donors, at both the domestic and international levels, committed to the overarching issues of sustainable development, social justice, human rights, and equity.

The Workgroup is dedicated to helping grantmakers collaborate more effectively on this broad spectrum of concerns and to enhancing integration among other funders groups. Through collaboration, meetings, conference calls and publications the working group seeks to help grantmakers achieve a more sustainable future. Tactics explored include: promotion of sustainable production practices by corporations; support of projects that help individuals and institutions shift and reduce consumption to protect the environment; development of public policy initiatives, encouragement of increased public education and communications efforts; promotion of green design programs, and other grantmaking approaches to accelerate the shift to a truly sustainable economy. For more information, please contact workgroup coordinator Ann Leonard at aleonard@ega.org.

The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders working group spun off from EGA in late 2005. Please visit their website at www.safsf.org to learn more about their current work.

The Water Funders Alliance disbanded in March 2006. Please contact dlanza@ega.org for more information.