Language Bank 2025

Term
PROPOSED LANGUAGE (Non-industry jargon - able to be understood by anyone!)
Word to refer to the type of groups we work with
Locally-led Organizations (LLOs) Partner Organizations
Words to refer to the type of work we do
Locally-led Development and Advocacy for ethical development practices. We use the word ‘Systems & Capacity Strengthening’ to refer to the service we offer partners. We use the term ‘Impact Investing’ support social entrepreneurs set up. to refer to the income-generating projects we We use the term ‘Invest’ to refer to the partnerships we establish with locally-led organizations. As we input resources in time, knowledge, collaboration and financial. Do not use: Empowerment, Help, Assist, Let, Allow, Give, Enable, Charity, etc
Words to refer to our partners and people we work with:
We use the term ‘Locally-Led Partners, Proximate Leaders, Emerging Leaders and Social Entrepreneurs’ to refer to our partners and people we work with. Do not use: Grantees, Recipients, Local Leaders, and Beneficiaries
Words to refer to the people whose lives our work is impacting:
Stakeholders/Participants for broad-scale numbers. Specified descriptions for individual programs, e.g. if the work has impacted 200 school students, say that. Do not use Beneficiaries, Vulnerable People, Underserved, etc. Also, avoid using single-story labels like ‘Orphan’ ‘Widow’
Word to refer to different economic categories of the country
Global Majority High / Low / Middle Income Countries Do not use: Developing/developed, Global North, Global South, First World, Third World, Sub-Saharan Africa
Word to refer to people who provide financial resources to us and our partners
Donors, Investors, Funders, and Strategic Partners. Do not use: Well-wishers
Word to refer to the money that we send
Funds, Investments, Resources, Capital Do not use: Aid, Donations, Charitable Giving
Word to refer to what we are doing when we send money
Investing, Sharing Resources, Systems Strengthening (LDA), Capacity Strengthening (Bootcamps) Do not use: Helping, Giving Note: We provide a return on impact. The word invest is more in line with our 'change, not charity messaging' and imparts some accountability on the donor and our team.
Word to refer to the sector we work in
Global Development Do not use: International Development Note: International Development has connotations of 'the other. ' Our partners are not working internationally, but they are contributing to global development.
Word to refer to peer organizations that we work alongside
Allies, Peer Organizations
WORDS TO USE CAREFULL Y AND CONTEXTUALL Y
Local
Okay, from a "locally-rooted solutions" or a "locally-generated income" perspective, but not to be used to refer to people or where they are based/or from. The term local downplays an individual's potential as that which is limited to a geographical scope, often, where they were born and raised. Which is not always true.
Support
It should be used only when referencing the specific actions offered to our partners through the LDA program. Better to use: Work with, Alongside, In Partnership with
Empower
Empower fails to acknowledge communities’ agency as experts in determining their futures. It places them as subjects that require saving, failing to acknowledge that most communities are in the situations they are in due to systemic issues.
ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT TERMS & CONCEPTS
Eye Level Partnerships
We acknowledge the expertise and decision-making powers that proximate leaders have in developing their community solutions. We meet partners where they’re at and invest in relationship building.
Term
PROPOSED LANGUAGE (Non-industry jargon - able to be understood by anyone!)
“Staying for Tea”
We sit with proximate leaders, listen to them, and develop collaborative strategies that shape a common destiny. We get to know partners on a personal level investing in relationships allows us to better work with our partners. Read more: Staying for Tea
Representation
We believe that proximate leaders deserve a seat at the table, where their voices are amplified and are actively included in any decision-making step. At MAMA HOPE, we see the value of representation in our team and Board of Directors to ensure there is a deep understanding of the communities we serve.
Storytelling
We believe that storytelling is a powerful tool that can either credit or discredit someone and must be used ethically. We are always constantly reminding ourselves to be mindful when talking about our work and that of our partners. Ethical Storytelling T oolkit Note: In our stories, we do not perpetuate pity, charity; we steer clear of the single story and white saviorism narratives.
Photography
Our partners and the work they do should be centred as much as possible When posting photos of anyone (partners, the community members they work Always include the names of as many people as possible. When collecting content, be respectful of each situation and person. Ask if you can take photos and/or share their stories across our platforms. We are also mindful of how we portray children: We do not take or share photos of children in any MAMA HOPE communications because children cannot give consent, and parents cannot know how their children will feel about their photos being shared once they are older. Photos where children have their backs turned or where they are unidentifiable are okay. Whenever possible, photos should be taken at the eye level of the people in them.
Proximity
We acknowledge the power held by those close to the challenges in their communities, and their ability to come up with solutions.
Culture
We believe in the beauty of our differences and we recognise the power it holds. In solving global problems. We also recognize that with different cultures come different working styles, and we come to the table with openness and understanding.
Listening
We value the importance of listening to proximate leaders, understanding their challenges, and being a sounding board in amplifying their work.
Localization
This is a systems change approach in which human capital, resources, assets, and expertise are invested without conditionalities from external actors, leading to a balance in decision-making powers.
Decolonization
This is a mindset shift approach in which historical power dynamics are acknowledged and dismantled, leading to working towards a common goal.
Power Balance
Acknowledging the power that exists and allocating resources where they belong without strings attached. Normally, the global development sector see funders as the holders of power as they are known to contribute financial resources and a global perspective. However, at MAMA HOPE, we strongly recognise that locally-led organizations have power as well, providing proximity to challenges, and using human capital, assets, expertise, and the ability to create tailored solutions. This recognition creates a power balance, allowing all parties to feel they bring something to the table and that financial resources are not the end-all be-all of sustainable global development.
Locally-led Organizations
These are entities formed and run by community members who have shared experiences, fulfilling a need or challenge in their setting. These organizations also have strong buy-in from the communities they work with/for, meaning the community members approve, take part, and are impacted greatly by the work of the LLO.
Systems Strengthening - versus Capacity Building
Systems strengthening is a holistic approach to building and implementing organizational structures for systemic change, whereas capacity building is a single-lensed approach that fails to employ a sustainable approach. It fails to capture the existing expertise that community leaders hold.
Asset-Based Community (ABC) Development
Asset-Based Community (ABC Mapping approach) is a participatory process used in community development to identify and leverage the existing strengths, resources, and assets of a community. Unlike needs-based approaches that focus on what a community lacks, ABC Mapping emphasizes what a community already has: its people, organizations, skills, and infrastructure.
Intermediary
An intermediary organization in the global development sector acts as a bridge between funders and locally-led grassroots organizations, facilitating collaboration while recognizing the power both sides bring to the table. Intermediaries operate across fiscal, programmatic, technical, and convening functions, with different organizations prioritizing these areas to varying degrees. For example, MAMA HOPE is primarily a programmatic intermediary while also engaging in technical, convening, and fiscal roles. By aligning these strengths, intermediaries enable more equitable partnerships and effective outcomes.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
As opposed to Monitoring & Evaluation. This is because when we Monitor, Evaluate, and Learn, we create a space for reflection and moving forward. This allows us to develop programs that centre community voices rooted in learning and reflection.