2026 Action Learning Lab on Climate & Environmental Philanthropy
A nine-month global learning journey to experiment with new ways of resourcing community-led climate action. Philanthropy Dialogues and WINGS invite a cohort of organisations to join a collaborative space where actors across the philanthropic ecosystem experiment together with new approaches to power, trust, and resourcing.
This Lab is designed for organisations already navigating real questions about how to support community-led climate and environmental action in more equitable and effective ways.
Central question
For communities to exercise greater leadership and agency, what evolutions in philanthropic practice, resourcing, and ways of working are necessary?
Apply
Application deadline is April 17th, 2026
If you have any questions, you can reach out to philanthropydialogues@gmail.com.
Apply to join the LabWhy this Lab
Within the philanthropic ecosystem, decision-making power and control over resources often remain far removed from the communities most affected.
Rather than discussing this question in theory, we invite you to explore it by giving space to the real experiments and institutional dilemmas you are currently navigating.
“We believe that strengthening community-led climate action requires not only new tools, but new relationships and new ways of practicing philanthropy together.”
What is the Action Learning Lab?
The Lab provides a safe-to-fail and brave learning space where organisations can reflect on these challenges together, receive ecosystem feedback and learning accompaniment, and strengthen their ability to lead meaningful change.
In this nine-month collaborative learning journey, we bring together 18 actors across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, including:
Participants bring live experiments or institutional dilemmas related to:
What you will experience
The Lab is structured as a nine-month process. It includes a global opening gathering, one regional cohort meeting, six triad learning accompaniment sessions, a regional harvesting session, and a final global reflection gathering.
The triads form the core of the experience.
Each triad includes one community-rooted movement, one locally led partner carrying out intermediary functions, and one funder. These sessions create an intimate space for participants to workshop real organizational challenges and receive feedback from peers who sit in different positions within the ecosystem.
Between sessions
Participants are encouraged to bring insights back into their organizations and teams so they can refine their experiments, address dilemmas, and test new ways of working.
Who this Lab is for
This Lab is designed for organisations that are already experimenting with change.
Participants may include:
Participants do not need perfect models or ready solutions.
Instead, they bring:
Commitment
Participants will participate in ten online sessions, and commit approximately 4–5 hours per month, from May 2026 to January 2027.
Each participating organisation designates one primary participant directly engaged in the experiment or dilemma, and one internal sounding board to support learning integration within the organisation.
To support equitable participation
Grassroots and other locally-led partners will receive a solidarity stipend of x in recognition of their time, labor, and contribution.
Partners with greater institutional resources are warmly invited to participate in the spirit of solidarity by making a voluntary contribution to the program.
Key Dates & Timeline
The 2026 Action Learning Lab runs from May 2026 to January 2027. Register for an information Webinar on April 13th at 13:00 UTC.
Beyond the cohort
The Action Learning Lab is embedded within a broader ecosystem of learning.
These communities reach over 250 philanthropic actors globally directly, and 100,000 through their wider networks, helping Lab insights travel beyond the cohort and inform wider shifts in philanthropic practice.
Join the 2026 cohort
Interested organisations are invited to submit a short expression of interest to confirm alignment and commitment.
Application deadline: April 17th
Apply to participate in the LabIf you have any questions, you can reach out to philanthropydialogues@gmail.com.