A Latin American Civil Society Hub - Incite at Columbia University

Incubated Project

A Latin American Civil Society Hub

The expansion of democracy in Latin America over the last half-century has seen the emergence of a strong network of CSOs. However, against democratic backsliding, these organizations are facing challenges building networks, collaborating, and therefore raising funds.

Apolitical Foundation, a global nonpartisan movement organization based in Berlin, maintains a Political Leadership Entrepreneur Network (PLEN) that strengthens cross-CSO collaboration and learning around the world. Apolitical Foundation has tasked Latin America Strategy and Development Director Natalia Herbst with expanding the PLEN with a Latin America Hub.

With support from the Global Change Program, Herbst will be working to expand Latin American membership in this network, organize in-country meetings, facilitate regional collaborations, and connect CSOs with prospective funders. This work will support new program development in areas including organizational sustainability, mental well-being, women’s representation in politics, online violence, and political leadership.

The Latin America Hub aims to create a more connected and resilient, democracy-focused civil society throughout the continent while providing valuable insights to the Global North.

About the Team

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    Natalia Herbst

    Apolitical Foundation's Director for Latin America Strategy and Development. She has a decade of experience in local and federal government in Argentina, is an Obama Scholar Columbia 2019, and was a member of President Obama's working group on inclusive economies.

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    Suki Capobianco

    Apolitical Foundation's Chief Strategy Officer and a political scientist specialized in political and strategic communication. She has worked extensively on gender and women’s rights issues supporting women in politics.

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    Mariana Lavin

    Project Manager at Apolitical Foundation. She has worked in innovation in public service design and public servant capability building in Latin America and Europe, working for central and local governments and international organizations.

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    Ximena Docarmo

    Learning Designer at Apolitical Foundation, she has been working for the last two decades in the promotion of political participation in Peru and Germany.

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