Alumni Community Engagement Fund (ACEF)
The Alumni Community Engagement Fund champions small, locally driven actions that spark long-lasting, positive change on a wider scale.Ìý
Small changes for big impact
Small changesÌýimplemented at the community level can lead toÌýbig impactÌýover time.ÌýÌý
The fund enables Commonwealth Alumni to designÌýand implement initiatives that raise awareness of howÌýdevelopment issues affect local people and deliverÌýcommunity-led solutions.Ìý
FromÌýfacilitatingÌýinteractive community workshops on climate change in Papua New GuineaÌýand delivering informative talks on eye health care in Cameroon, the fundÌýsupportsÌýCommonwealth AlumniÌýto volunteerÌýtheirÌýspecialist knowledge, utilise their expert networks and connections, and engage local partners toÌýstrengthenÌýlocal communities.ÌýÌýÌý
Each year, the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø selects one or more themes which the engagement activities must address. Alumni are expected to draw on their knowledge and skills in areas related to one of the themes to develop and deliver their community engagement activity.Ìý
‘My ACEF activity was grounded in the findings of the research I conducted during my Master’s study funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. It was the first time I implemented the findings of my research study into practice through the community-awareness workshop. As an organiser, the knowledge and skills I gained through ACEF will continue to shape how I design future multidisciplinary research and communicate my findings in ways that truly resonate with the intended audience.’
2024-25 ACEF organiserÌý
You can read aboutÌýpreviousÌýactivities delivered by Commonwealth Alumni under themes below.ÌýÌý
Across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries, 60% of the total population are under 30 years of age. Youth have shown their potential to lead on a range of global challenges, from quality education to climate change to gender equality. Read how alumni have engaged youth to build the skills and knowledge to become young leaders in their communities.
People with disabilities (PWDs) face many barriers in seeking equal opportunities to education and employment. These barriers to participation often continue when in the workplace or when accessing important services, with limited policies implemented to support their equal participation. Discover how alumni have collaborated with PWDs to promote their rights at institutions, such as schools and workplaces.
49 Commonwealth member countries are coastal states, however all countries depend on the ocean for trade, transportation, security, and resources. Read how alumni have delivered activities to discuss ocean protection and management inline with the .
Talanoa is a traditional word used in Fiji and across the Pacific to reflect a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. Applying this concept, alumni have delivered activities promoting this year’s Commonwealth theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’.
Coinciding with the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø’s Professional Fellowships in Gender and Sexuality, read how alumni raised awareness on the rights, freedoms, dignity, and inclusion of communities who are discriminated against because of gender identity or sexuality.
Indigenous communities and indigenous or traditional ancestral knowledge play a crucial role in understanding and adapting to some of the world’s most critical development challenges. Discover how alumni advocated for indigenous knowledge across some of these challenges.
32 of the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth are small states. Find out how alumni heightened awareness of the challenges and vulnerabilities facing small Commonwealth states.Ìý
See how alumni raised awareness around preserving marine ecosystems, increasing the use of renewable energies, and improving air quality to help mitigate and adapt to climate change in their communities.
In keeping with the spirit of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, read how Commonwealth Alumni raised awareness of the role of sport as an important enabler of sustainable development.
Coinciding with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021, alumni designed and delivered a climate action themed community-focused activity.
As part of the UK government’s ambitious initiatives to get 40 million more girls in primary and secondary school by 2026, find out how alumni advocated for Girls’ Education.
See how alumni helped raise awareness around the theme for .ÌýHeld on 22 March each year, the day raises awareness of the 2 billion people who do not have access to safe water.
aims to increase awareness around a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2021, this was ‘preparedness and prevention for public health’. Find out what alumni did in this area.