Catalyst Network

?? What is systemic change, and why does it matter? ?? Addressing today’s challenges — whether it’s poverty, climate crises, or tech injustice — requires more than surface-level fixes. Systemic change targets the root causes of entrenched issues by reshaping mindsets, beliefs, relationships, and power structures. At Catalyst, systemic change is about collaboration across sectors, centring marginalised communities, and embracing equity-driven, long-term approaches. We want to see systems shift in support of more just and regenerative futures. Read more in our new article: https://lnkd.in/eSTD4A7u #SystemicChange #SocialImpact #Innovation #Equity #TechJustice

AI governance in action: a practical guide for trustees According to the 2024 Charity Digital Skills report, 61% of charities are using AI. Yet, despite this trend, the latest Charity Commission trustee survey has highlighted the disconnect between trustees and their charity’s digital activities - just 3% of trustees reported their charity is using AI. Reflecting that this seeming lack of awareness could hinder trustees from advising on strategy, or providing appropriate monitoring and support; Zoe Amar FCIM / Zoe Amar Digital has published this practical guide to AI governance. Click the link to access a trove of actionable insights and resources. https://lnkd.in/eNbSikjC #AI #DigitalGovernance #Trustees

?? Catalyst, collective power and communities of interest As you know, Catalyst has a refreshed vision and mission. Our work is now very much focused on supporting communities of resistance and building collective power, but what do these terms mean? Dawn K. has produced this new resource to help you understand the concept of collective power, and why it is integral to our work at Catalyst. Dive in to discover: - Catalyst’s current definition of collective power - Examples of collective power in practice - How collective power differs from collective action - Catalyst’s role in supporting communities of resistance to build collective power https://lnkd.in/ekNkDqbn #CollectivePower #CommunitiesOfResistance #LiberatoryTech #TechJustice

Inside Catalyst ?? : maintaining values, Slack’s limitations and contract negotiations Hannah Ndapandula Turner-Uaandja and Abigail Handley share their highlights and challenges from another busy week. They reflect on the difficulty of maintaining our core values during time-sensitive projects and explore Slack's limitations for internal communications. Head over to our Medium page for the latest comings and goings. https://lnkd.in/eGcjwJ6H #InsideCatalyst #Reflections #TeamValues #TechJustice

Inside catalyst: Tech justice, making space for grief and AI and spirituality Ellie Hale reflects on the joys and challenges that have been keeping her occupied lately: - An introduction to some of the organisations Catalyst is collaborating with on our Tech Justice Road Trip. - Ellie’s experiences of holding and processing grief - Her contemplations on AI’s ability to admit its fallibility Visit our Open Working blog: https://lnkd.in/etZ5wJQh #InsideCatalyst #Reflections #OpenWorking #TechJustice

How Catalyst’s work is centring community needs Centring the communities most impacted by tech injustice and co-designing with them is essential to create and maintain a liberatory vision of technology. As a values-led organisation, we achieve this by: · ? ? ? Paying participation and reciprocity fees in recognition of the time and effort people invest in our activities · ? ? ? Decolonising evaluation · ? ? ? Working with partners who embrace and value the lived experiences of under-represented or marginalised communities within our sector · ? ? ? Promoting opportunities to learn and share, connecting community-embedded organisations with people in the wider network. Curious to know more? Check out Dawn K.’s comprehensive resource for explanations of key concepts and Catalyst’s plans for centring community needs in the future. https://lnkd.in/e675CW-K #CentringCommunityNeeds #LiberatoryTech #TechForGood #TechJustice

How can AI create a fairer, more just world? With its potential to empower under-served communities, fuel creativity and foster systemic solutions to societal challenges, the rise of AI software is undoubtedly exciting. Yet, if we are all to share in its benefits equitably, its power needs to be harnessed responsibly. In the second of our crowdsourced articles, 12 Catalyst Network members share their views on the ways AI might contribute to creating a just and regenerative future for all. From enhancing accessibility in technology to overcoming biases, discover their hopes for the AI solutions of the future. https://lnkd.in/eHWFEAt4 #AI #JustAndRegenerativeFutures #TechJustice

Did you know digital transformation is just as much about timing as technology? When to build expert teams, when to distribute expert knowledge and above all, identify when your organisation is ready to embrace change. In this episode of the Starts at The Top podcast, Said Dajani shares insights from his 11-year tenure as Head of Digital at Diabetes UK. He shares his experience of evolving from a centralised digital team leader to an expert in fostering digital. Timing, leadership building and organisational understanding — this episode has valuable lessons for leaders going through similar transitions. https://lnkd.in/dk6vYcJH #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #StartsAtTheTop

What became of the initiatives Catalyst stopped funding after our transition? Following a challenging decision-making process, we stopped funding some Catalyst?initiatives in April this year. We offered six of them a grant from our “Next Steps” fund to help transition their work into a new form. Joe Roberson’s article presents a series of reflection pieces on Medium, revealing how the grants were used, lessons learnt along the way, and plans for the future. https://lnkd.in/e4Ew8Kph #Retrospectives #CatalystInitiatives #Funding

Creating just and regenerative futures for everyone! Our community members answered these key questions: — How does AI contribute to injustice and inequity in the world? — How might it do so in the future? Driven by its own intelligence and growing demand to be utilised in the most innovative ways, AI is developing faster than any software ever did. As a result, regulation cannot keep pace with it. Its potential to perpetuate great harm in our society often goes unchecked. Yet, despite our lack of control over AI, we can find strength in unity. Aiming to develop a story that can help to serve a just and regenerative future for everyone, we have crowdsourced a two-part article to bring people’s views together. Read the article to discover what our network had to say about AI business models, hidden bias within training data and much more. https://lnkd.in/eJyu6RPb #AI #JustAndRegenerativeFutures #LiberatoryTech