Capacity Building
Building a Culture of Artivism Across Europe
Sevi Matsakidou, Educational, Research, and Advocacy Manager, El Sistema Greece
Like many organizations across Europe, El Sistema Greece draws part of its support from European Union programs. While our work has always focused on music and social change, we’ve recently partnered with organizations beyond the music sector to explore something broader: “artivism” across different art forms. This collaboration led to the launch of a new project, co-funded with the EU and dedicated to empowering young people, especially those with fewer opportunities.
After Years of Outreach, Brass for Africa Puts Down Roots
Ronald Kabuye, Country Director, Brass for Africa – Uganda
For years, Brass for Africa has worked toward one powerful goal: using music to empower all young people and their communities to fulfill their potential and thrive. Since 2009, that mission has come to life through an outreach model, wherein music and life-skills teachers make long, often demanding journeys across communities.
It worked. It reached thousands. But in 2026, we’re trying something new: the Hub Model.
Advice on Hiring a First Fundraiser
If you are going to hire a staff member as your first dedicated fundraiser, Patrick Slevin (Executive Director of Austin Soundwaves) offers advice based on his personal experience.
Re-birth: 18 Years of Music, Meaning, and Maturing
Elizabeth Njoroge, Founder and Executive Director, Art of Music Foundation
Many of the students we began with, back in 2006, are the first in their families to finish school, to attend university, and to build careers. The truly amazing part is that now, as young adults, their dream is not to escape. Their dream is to return. They come back to their communities—with purpose, compassion, and determination. More often than not, they come back to Ghetto Classics as teachers. Most of our current 42 teachers once sat where our students now sit. The learners have become leaders.
Which means, of course, that the program no longer “belongs” to me.
No Matter the Medium, Ensemble Learning Makes Leaders of Us All
Saurabh Sainani, Program Lead, Enabling Leadership
For many organizations outside of our shared community, leadership is viewed as a title or formal role—something to aspire to professionally. When it comes to youth empowerment, though, it means a bit more. We see it in the everyday actions, habits, and mindsets that empower individuals to make a difference. Leadership, for us, is about inspiring others simply by living your values.
At Enabling Leadership (EL), we strive to support young people as they find their way toward those actions and values.
