Building trust in Native-led technology partnerships

Building trust is more important than building technology. When we began Commonlands work in rural Uganda, our first instinct was to focus on the tech — the maps, the certificates, the microloan platform. It made sense. Technology could scale solutions faster, streamline processes, and offer transparency. But without trust, even the most advanced tools are useless. Many had seen outsiders arrive with promises before—only for those promises to vanish, leaving communities worse off. Why should they trust us? We had to earn it. That meant showing up—not just once or twice, but consistently. → Sitting under trees and listening to their stories. → Respecting their skepticism and their pace. → Engaging local leaders to vouch for our intentions. Over time, we saw something remarkable. People began opening up. They shared their stories and their challenges. Only then did the technology become meaningful—it became a tool they could see themselves using, not something imposed on them. This is what made us achieve an incredible milestone: ➜ 2,500 plots documented. ➜ 99% loan repayment rate. Then I realized that trust is slow to build but incredibly fragile. And when you’re working with communities, it’s non-negotiable. Technology might be exciting, but relationships are what sustain progress. Today, every certificate we issue and every loan we facilitate is built on a foundation of trust—not just innovation. And that, I’ve learned, is the only way real change happens. Thoughts? Do you believe a lack of trust can impact the success of a project? Follow 👉 Darius and repost! #communitydevelopment #trustbuilding #socialimpact #sustainability #changemaking

I spend 20–25 days a month in the field. Not as a CEO, but as a student. Here’s the uncomfortable truth about building for grassroots India: You can't do it from a glass office. At GROWiT, we don’t treat farmers as customers. We treat them as gurus. Every village teaches me something no Zoom call ever can. Over chai, I discovered that problems are hyperlocal. Alluvial soil in Gujarat behaves differently than black soil in Maharashtra. What works in one village fails in another. **You can’t design solutions unless you touch grass. Here’s what farmers taught me:** They don’t care about pitch decks. But they open up when they see you listening, not selling. So listen with humility. Learn with an open mind. In school, we were taught: “India lives in villages.” – Gandhi At GROWiT, we believe innovation does too. That’s why we don’t “deploy” tech. We co-create it with farmers, not for them. Because when tech is built in isolation, it fails in translation. Even the best-designed product means nothing if it doesn’t speak the language of the land. The brutal reality? Tech doesn’t fail. Rollouts fail when we don’t listen. Because we didn’t keep our ears to the ground. That’s why presence matters. Not just in launch meetings but in the fields, over chai, on repeat visits. I often ask myself: What if I stop showing up on-ground? My team will too. And that golden thread of trust will break. In Bharat, trust > tech. You want to build tech for India? First, build trust in India. At GROWiT, we don’t lead from the top. Tech is step two. Listening to local wisdom is still step one. 🌱 What’s one ground-level insight you’ve learned that no report ever told you?

Not all partnerships are created equal. Too often, partnerships with islands are shaped by outside agendas, timelines, or funding cycles. They tick the boxes but don’t always meet the real needs of communities. The balance of power in these partnerships often sits with the funder, the larger NGO, or the outside organisation. Decisions get made elsewhere, while islands are expected to adapt to frameworks that don’t always fit their context. We see this in conservation and sustainable development all the time. A project gets launched, the donor requirements are met, but when the funding ends the work often stops — because it was never truly embedded in local leadership or values. True partnership feels different. It shifts power. It starts with listening to what communities and governments are saying. It co-designs solutions so that global expertise strengthens — rather than overshadows — local realities. In GLISPA I’ve seen how much stronger outcomes are when island leaders are not just “consulted,” but leading. That’s when solutions last, because they belong to the people who will carry them forward. Authentic partnerships don’t just deliver projects. They build resilience, unlock innovation, and strengthen leadership for the long term. It takes time. It requires trust. And it means being willing to step back so that others can step forward. What does it take, in your experience, to create balance in a partnership?

It took me 17 years in international development to learn what actually builds sustainable partnerships—and it’s not what you think. I spent 17 years navigating the intricate world of international development. Here's the shortcut to save you a decade's worth of trial and error in building sustainable partnerships. Listen First: It sounds simple, but truly listening can transform your approach. Lead with curiosity. Instead of jumping into solutions, ask learning questions that show genuine interest. What challenges are they facing? What do ventures and stakeholders value? Local Expertise Matters: Don't swoop in with preconceived notions. Engage with local leaders and communities to identify their strengths and needs. This locally led solution ensures you're not just another outsider pushing an agenda. Build Trust through Transparency: Share your goals, motivations, and even uncertainties! It’s ok to say “I don’t know.” People appreciate honesty more than you think. Focus on Mutual Benefits: Partnerships thrive when both sides feel they're gaining something valuable. Clearly outline how your collaboration can benefit them long term. Be Adaptable: Plans change – especially in international work! Stay flexible and open to adjusting strategies based on feedback from your partners. These principles helped me transform transactional relationships into high-impact collaborations across Africa, and the U.S. They’re also the foundation of how I coach founders today—especially those navigating leadership and business growth. If you're building partnerships that last, start here. What do you wish more people understood about building trust in global partnerships? #InternationalDevelopment #FounderSupport #LeadershipCoaching #Rippleworks #ImpactInvesting #SystemsThinking #SustainablePartnerships #LocallyLedDevelopment #VentureSupport