At Cohere, we work with over 69 refugee-led and community-based organisations across Africa, some partnerships dating back to 2012. We provide funding, capacity-building, coordination, and advocacy support, always focusing on building trust-based human relationships. By listening, understanding, and sharing, we empower our partners to lead their own solutions and access the resources needed to drive the changes they envision for their communities. Together, we create lasting impact.
Trust circle model
The Trust Circle model is at the heart of our commitment to equitable, trust-based partnerships. It removes the burden of decision-making from individuals and ensures a collective, transparent process for working with refugee-led organisations (RLOs). By involving staff across departments, the model reduces biases, enhances knowledge-sharing, and strengthens relationships with partners. Trust Circles allow us to scale our partnerships without compromising our human-centred approach, ensuring each RLO receives the support needed to lead transformative change in their communities.
Each Trust Circle consists of Cohere team members who engage closely with a designated group of RLOs. By fostering deep, meaningful relationships, circles facilitate collaborative decision-making, identify opportunities, and co-design solutions to challenges. Regular interactions, including meetings, visits, and programme deep dives, ensure a thorough understanding of each RLO's needs and goals. Monthly circle meetings and quarterly feedback sessions promote transparency, shared learning, and continuous improvement, refining our approach to building stronger, more effective partnerships.
