Communities First Global Collaborative

The Communities First Global Collaborative is a powerful partnership between Aspen Global Innovators Group, Partners in Health, and the University of Global Health Equity that aims to support the development of community resilience strategies and leaders. These leaders are designing community systems and strengthening primary care-level response systems to prepare communities for disruptions and ready community leaders with effective, home-grown solutions to the impact of future pandemics and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. It unites diverse voices from communities worldwide to exchange innovative solutions grounded in lived experience. By harnessing the wisdom and expertise of community leaders, the Communities First Global Collaborative supports sustainable, equity-focused efforts that strengthen health systems for everyone. Through initiatives such as the Global Academy for Health Systems Resilience, the Collaborative amplifies the collective voice of community leaders and advances new ideas that can shape plans and policies to strengthen health systems.

Highlights from 2023

In June 2023, during the Aspen Ideas Health Festival, Partners in Health and the Aspen Global Innovators Group launched the Global Academy for Community Health Systems Resilience, the leadership and development component of the Communities First Global Collaborative. It brings together new voices and solutions to the table that are community-inspired and community-driven to help create a health system that works for all. The Global Academy is a year-long program that supports community leaders from the United States and Africa as they design and implement community health systems resilience and recovery strategies, build a sustained collaborative learning network of community leaders, and strengthen public health systems to prevent and respond to pandemics and humanitarian crises. The initial iteration of the Communities First Global Collaborative was funded with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Skoll Foundation. This visionary funding enabled the partnership with Partners in Health and the University of Global Health Equity.

Sixteen leaders from Malawi; Lesotho; Rwanda; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New Bedford and Fall River, Massachusetts; and Henderson, North Carolina, were selected to participate in the inaugural cohort. These leaders are working at the frontlines of health systems, pandemic response, and humanitarian action.

Over the next year, they will embark on a journey with us to inspire, innovate, and lead by example, shaping the future of their health systems and making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Looking forward

The Communities First Global Collaborative has ambitious objectives to advance global health equity in the coming year. One of its key goals is to test and formalize the Global Academy of Health Resilience interactive training course. The program also seeks to provide technical assistance for the participants to develop and implement innovative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities in their contexts. Thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the first class convened at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Kigali, Rwanda, in April 2024 for a two-week, in-person training boot camp to ground in a health system curriculum that will inform the project or program they will be implementing once they leave Rwanda. After the boot camp, participants will engage in a series of online and in-person learning modules, mentorship sessions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and field visits.

By focusing on these vital initiatives and partnering with organizations that can support their expansion, the Collaborative is committed to building solid partnerships and promoting health equity across the globe.