The Power Footprint Report: Rewriting the Script in International Development

In the realm of international development, power and where it is situated, has long been felt, discussed, and wrestled with. As a global social impact organization dedicated to championing the Power of Local, WeRobotics has found it imperative to sit with and engage deeply with the question of power itself, understanding that it is inherently relational, complicated, and often divisive.

Our conversations around power led us to the question: Can we quantify, and thereafter redistribute equitably, the power that organizations hold? In a blog post titled “What is the power footprint of international organizations?” we laid out our contemplations as well as our rudimentary suggestions for how to embark on such a task, fully acknowledging its massive scale and the undeniable truth that this was not a journey we could undertake alone. Thus the idea of the Power Footprint was born, a concept that seeks to address the authority, control, and influence wielded by international development organizations.

Over a 2-year journey, we facilitated, along with Camber Collective, an extensive exploration of power in the context of international development with over a hundred individuals from international organizations, foundations, development agencies and local organizations, nurturing the Power Footprint to its current stage of development. To everyone who contributed their invaluable insights, resources, and support, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Yet, the journey toward realizing its full potential remains ongoing. It now beckons for other organizations to take on the mantle and propel it from its nascent stage to widespread implementation and scalability.

As we release the Power Footprint initiative into the public domain, we are thrilled to unveil our report, which encapsulates the learnings gathered from diverse stakeholders throughout this odyssey. It serves not only as a retrospective analysis but also as a springboard for charting the course ahead. Having launched the Power Footprint initiative with a (virtual) ecosystem event at the Skoll World Forum 2022, we are doubly excited for the opportunity to  share this report just in time for the 2024 Skoll World Forum, bringing our journey full circle. 

We invite you to download and explore the Power Footprint report now and discover a fresh perspective on power within the development sphere and a case for how international organizations can rewrite the script, becoming true agents of change and building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive ecosystem.