The past two years have brought exceptional challenges to the nonprofit sector. Reductions in aid, a surge in humanitarian need, and increasing pressure on activists’ rights and freedoms have left many organizations stretched to their limits. The organizations feeling this most acutely are often local and national ones: those closest to the communities they serve, and least equipped to absorb the financial strain.
In these circumstances, harnessing the support of the extraordinary community of linguists who volunteer with us is how we can best increase language capacity for local organizations. This will help them continue to fulfil their mission and remain accessible to people from the communities they serve, regardless of the languages people speak. This language support offers a way to maintain capacity despite the constraints they are operating under.
About the Translation Access Pilot
Through this pilot, we hope to support a group of local organizations to translate key materials that support their mission. For a limited time, they will have access to a self-managed translation service provided by the Translations without Borders (TWB) community. Following a review, we will consider whether we can offer free services for small organizations in a way that is sustainable and suits their needs.
As part of their participation, each organization will be able to have up to 75,000 words translated. They may choose to translate life-saving information, open a community dialogue, amplify people’s voices, or simply signal to a language community that they are welcome. Whatever the purpose, we hope these translations help more people get the information they need and be heard, in whatever language they speak.
The role of volunteers
This is a concrete opportunity for volunteers to create real impact in their communities. They know the local landscape and the organizations that are doing meaningful work but struggling to reach people across language barriers. We are asking our community of volunteers to be the bridge by identifying one of those organizations, introducing them to this opportunity, and helping them take the first step.
We will provide volunteers with everything they need to approach a partner, guide them through the process, and make it happen. If needed, organizations can also be supported through the registration process.
Volunteer registration
Ready to join the Translation Access Pilot?
Register your intent now to unlock guidance, and the tools to participate in a global movement by engaging in local action.
Register yourself to participate in the pilot by 31st May, 2026. Every week counts.