In this episode I present a case for donating your hard earned money to trailblazing grassroot projects. I'm not presenting a case against big NGOs, rather, I am advocating for the support of innovative non-profits that have the agility to deliver the most effective solutions during a time of crisis and beyond. Right now, the people of the Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, and sadly so many more, need our support. At the end of the episode I share four grassroot projects currently working across multiple refugee crises, and how you can support them (also listed below). Thanks for being here. 

In this episode, I make the case for supporting grassroot charities in both the response to the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine and beyond. Drawing on lessons from frontline work in Europe's refugee crisis and further sustainable development work, I present reasons why grassroot projects are so effective at building and delivering emphatic solutions even when faced with limited resources. You can also support the following grassroot charities that are doing phenomenal work in face of this crisis.

Charles Storer was part of creating Hope and Aid Direct in response to the devastating effects of the late 90s Balkans war. Since 1998, they have been taking humanitarian aid to innocent, displaced people in war-torn countries. More than twenty years on, Chas and his amazing wife Bev continue to take convoys of humanitarian aid with a team of loyal volunteers. To date Hope & Aid Direct have distributed 2,081 tonnes of aid delivered to more than 200,000 beneficiaries, with 90% of that aid being sustainable, surplus stock from bulk suppliers. We delve into the political situation in Europe and Syria, how to get around (or go through) political obstacles, the ability to spin multiple plates at once, and switching from a career in banking to a career as a humanitarian.