The Emergence Fund: Voices from the Field

May 24, 2026 – What does it look like when the Work That Reconnects takes root in a forest community in the Philippines, or in the high valleys of Pakistan, or among activists in a Colombian city? Join us for a live panel conversation with the inaugural recipients of the Emergence Fund — a micro-grant program launched by the Social Justice Committee of the Work That Reconnects Network to support facilitators in under-represented regions worldwide.

The Emergence Fund was created to break down the barriers — financial, geographic, and institutional — that prevent emerging facilitators from bringing WTR to life in their communities. In this first round, four remarkable facilitators received grants to lead locally grounded, culturally rooted projects: Althea Serad is training Indigenous youth leaders in the Sierra Madre forests of the Philippines; Eva Montaña Silva is guiding frontline activists and community members through the Spiral in Manizales, Colombia; Goonja Shrestha is offering women from marginalized communities a Deep Ecology journey rooted in storytelling and art in Kathmandu, Nepal; and Muqadsa Zaineb is creating a sanctuary for young Kalashi women to reclaim their roles as guardians of the land in Pakistan’s Kalash Valleys.

In this live panel, these four facilitators share their experiences, insights, and stories from the field — what they learned, what surprised them, and what the Work That Reconnects looks like when it is adapted with deep care for place, culture, and community. Watch the recording and be inspired by the creativity and courage emerging at the edges of our global network.

Panelists

Althea Serad (Philippines)

In the forest communities of Sierra Madre, Althea is working with collaborator, Steve Manzano, to train Indigenous youth leaders from UGBON to become facilitators of a deeply localized Work That Reconnects practice. Through a hybrid Spiral Journey spanning three months, young leaders will explore Filipino Indigenous worldviews, tend to ecological grief, engage in land-based practices, and master WTR methodology. The result will be a co-created, culturally rooted WTR module that these youth can carry forward, equipped with trauma-informed facilitation skills and the confidence to lead community circles that protect forests, honour cultural continuity, and strengthen Indigenous youth leadership across the region. Learn more about Althea.

Eva Montaña Silva (Colombia)

In Manizales, Eva is bringing the Work That Reconnects directly to those on the front-lines of ecological and social struggle. Through a series of 3–4 gatherings, she’ll guide residents through the full Spiral, with one session specifically designed for activists facing conflict with city authorities. These circles offer a safe container to process fear, frustration, and grief while rebuilding collective resilience and imagination. By making WTR inclusive, and visible in the city, Eva is strengthening community networks, reducing isolation among change-makers, and planting seeds for new collaborations rooted in courage and connection. Learn more about Eva.

Goonja Shrestha (Nepal)

In Kathmandu, Goonja is offering women from marginalized and Indigenous communities a rare gift: a one-day Deep Ecology journey that weaves together storytelling, meditation, and art. This farm-based retreat outside the city creates space for participants to rebuild their relationship with nature, themselves, and each other. With careful attention to cultural grounding, trauma-informed practice, and accessibility, Goonja is designing an experience that honors both individual healing and collective belonging. The project includes three months of thoughtful preparation and post-retreat reflection, ensuring the work deepens with each iteration and creates lasting shifts in how participants care for the Earth and their communities. Learn more about Goonja.

Muqadsa Zaineb (Pakistan)

In the Kalash Valleys, Muqadsa is creating a sanctuary for young Indigenous women to reclaim their role as guardians of the land. Over three months, 15–20 women and girls will gather weekly at the Basali House for circles that blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern tools like land mapping and climate-safe farming practices. This project nurtures leadership, builds confidence, and ensures young Kalashi women have a voice in local climate and land-use decisions. By creating learning materials in the Kalasha language and establishing the Basali House as a community hub, Muqadsa is planting seeds for intergenerational wisdom-sharing and environmental stewardship that will ripple through the valleys for years to come. Learn more about Muqadsa.

Steve Manzano (Philippines)

In the forest communities of Sierra Madre, Steve is working with collaborator and WTR Network Facilitator Member, Althea Serad, to train Indigenous youth leaders from UGBON to become facilitators of a deeply localized Work That Reconnects practice. Through a hybrid Spiral Journey spanning three months, young leaders will explore Filipino Indigenous worldviews, tend to ecological grief, engage in land-based practices, and master WTR methodology. The result will be a co-created, culturally rooted WTR module that these youth can carry forward, equipped with trauma-informed facilitation skills and the confidence to lead community circles that protect forests, honour cultural continuity, and strengthen Indigenous youth leadership across the region.