Funding Systems Change Requires More Flexible, Longer-Term, and Less Restrictive Funders

Funding systems change necessitates funders to relinquish control up to a certain degree and support approaches that aim to shift parts of the system, benefit millions, and bring sustained improvements over time. This support should focus on solutions that can be adopted by governments or have commercial viability for long-term sustainability. Funders must trust program partners, agree on outcomes, and be prepared for strategic pivots. The funding approach for systems change needs to be flexible, long-term, collaborative, and less restrictive, emphasizing a partnership with organizations implementing the work and possessing contextual understanding for affecting system change.