Written by: Alison Wallace, CEO at SOS Children’s Villages UK
28 July 2025
The UK international development sector is undergoing profound, and necessary, change.
Shrinking funding, a crisis of legitimacy, and growing recognition of the sector’s colonial roots. These are all pushing us to confront some hard truths and long-standing inequalities. And the very concept of international development is being redefined, and rightly so.
At SOS Children’s Villages UK where I’m CEO, we are reimagining our role guided by equity, global solidarity, and anti-racist practice.
For too long, organisations across the sector have centred UK-based interests, misrepresented communities, and undervalued the knowledge and leadership in low- and middle-income countries. That must change.
While there may be ‘explanations’ for how this came to be, the reality is simple. It is not acceptable to continue acting for communities. We must act with them.
Making way for positive change
As a member of the Bond CEO Anti-Racism Group, I am part of a space where leaders are reflecting on power, accountability, and how we lead with justice at the core.
Together, we’re asking hard questions about the systems we’ve inherited, and the ones we want to build in their place.
At SOS Children’s Villages UK (and within our wider Federation), we are actively scrutinising our methods. While each member within the Federation is self-governing, we know more must be done to truly shift power to those closest to the children and families we support. This means rethinking decision-making, listening more deeply to lived experiences, and ensuring that local voices drive lasting change.
We’re reshaping how we tell stories. We’re putting the focus back where it belongs – on the individual, their beliefs, culture and experience. And we’re rethinking how we fund programmes, shifting toward a locally-led model. One that supports sustainable outcomes defined by the communities themselves.
These are not token adjustments. They are part of a deeper process of reflection and accountability. And one that will continue, and that we know must touch every part of how we operate.
A new, globally engaged UK civil society is taking shape. This is our opportunity to help build a future rooted in solidarity, mutual learning, and shared humanity.
At SOS Children’s Villages UK, we are determined to be part of that future. And we are determined to keep holding ourselves to account as we go.
Read Bond’s full anti-racism statement from over 40 CEOs across the sector.