In May 2025, Her Initiative had the honor of participating in Segal Connect Tanzania, a gathering that wasn’t just about partnerships, but about reimagining what real, intentional collaboration and capacity building look like.
Held under the powerful theme “Not Bigger, Just Better”, this year’s convening focused on deep reflection, bold questions, and context-rooted conversations about the future of philanthropy and development in Africa. It wasn’t a typical conference. It was a space where funders and local changemakers met as equals, to unlearn, rethink, and co-create.
For Her Initiative, being part of that space was both empowering and deeply affirming.
Why "Not Bigger, Just Better" Matters
The theme resonated strongly with us.
In a world where “scaling up” is often the benchmark of success, Segal Connect challenged us to pause and ask, are we growing in ways that honor our mission? Are we expanding with intention? Are we centering those most impacted?
For grassroots, youth-led organizations like ours, this message hit home. At Her Initiative, we believe that meaningful growth happens not when we do more, but when we do better, when we build stronger systems, when we stay true to our values, and when our communities lead the change.
The Capacity Conundrum For Funders Too
One of the most refreshing elements of Segal Connect was the acknowledgment that capacity building is not just for grantees, it is for funders too. This kind of honest dialogue about power, flexibility, and trust is rare, and necessary.
In spaces where funders usually ask organizations to “build capacity,” Segal Connect flipped the lens, challenging funders to reflect on how their structures, timelines, and funding models either enable or hinder the very impact they want to see.
It was a bold, necessary shift. One that aligns with our advocacy for flexible, long-term, trust-based funding that gives youth-led organizations room to breathe, experiment, and grow sustainably.
“Engaging with Funding Partners”
One of the unique aspects of Segal Connect is the way it redefines relationships, shifting from traditional funder-beneficiary dynamics to something more collaborative and equitable. At Segal, the relationships reflect mutual respect, shared purpose, and a commitment to walking alongside communities rather than ahead of them.
During this year’s convening, Her Initiative had the privilege of connecting with several of these partners. Alongside other implementing partners in Tanzania, we engaged in meaningful conversations with funders who are deeply invested in work that aligns with ours, centering girls and young women, enabling economic justice, and driving youth-led change.
These were not pitch meetings. They were exchanges. We got to hear about where the funders are focusing their efforts, the kind of change they hope to catalyze, and how they are rethinking their approaches to power and impact. In turn, we had the opportunity to share our model, our wins, our challenges, and most importantly, our vision for how to go beyond charity and truly shift systems.
The feedback we received was invaluable, ranging from ideas on strengthening our data storytelling, to ways of scaling without losing our rootedness. It reminded us that collaboration isn’t just about funding; it is about sharpening each other, learning together, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Her Initiative Takes the Stage: Panda Digital at the Marketplace
We were excited to be part of the Segal Connect Marketplace, where we showcased Panda Digital, our innovative platform that bridges digital gaps for young entrepreneurs, particularly young women, across Tanzania.
Standing in front of fellow changemakers and funders, we shared how Panda Digital is helping youth-led businesses grow online, access new markets, and gain essential digital skills. But more importantly, we shared why this matters: because access to digital tools is access to opportunity and in a digital world, inclusion must be intentional.
We also had the opportunity to speak about our wider work from economic empowerment and entrepreneurship programs to feminist leadership development and our recent policy advocacy on resourcing youth-led change.
Being given that platform more than a presentation. It was recognition. It was trust. And it was a chance to connect with partners who share our belief that local innovation is where sustainable impact begins.
Reflections from the Team
“Being at Segal Connect felt different, there was no pressure to prove, just space to be. As a youth-led organization, that kind of trust is rare, and powerful.” Nusura Myonga, Impact and project lead