mates programs

Mates Fund delivers programs shaped by community priorities, not external agendas. We focus on practical, long-term projects that support education, infrastructure, and resilience — always working alongside trusted local partners and leaders. Our programs look different in each place we work, but they are all guided by the same principles: local leadership, transparency, and delivery that lasts beyond a funding cycle.

Group of children and a few adults in an outdoor setting with mountainous terrain in the background. The children are gathered closely together, some smiling, and one adult is holding a colorful ball. The sky is clear with some clouds.
People installing a tall metal pole in a grassy yard on a cloudy day, with trees and houses in the background.
A young boy climbing a tree in a lush green outdoor setting.
A man sitting on a rolling office chair, smiling and holding a bottle of water, wearing a striped polo shirt, beige pants, sandals, a red cap, and sunglasses on his head, outdoors under a wooden structure.
Group of people in a cozy, decorated indoor space with hanging plants, sitting on chairs and mats, some with children, engaging in a social gathering.

How We Run Programs

Mates Fund doesn’t operate on a one-size-fits-all model.

Every program begins with listening — to community leaders, families, and local organisations who understand their context better than anyone else. From there, we co-design projects that are realistic, culturally appropriate, and genuinely useful.

We:

  • Work through long-term local partnerships

  • Prioritise skills, infrastructure, and education over short-term fixes

  • Keep programs intentionally lean and flexible

  • Deliver projects directly, with oversight from our volunteer team

  • Share where funds go and why decisions are made

This approach allows us to respond to real needs, adapt as contexts change, and remain accountable to the people our programs exist for.

Two men are seated on a decorated carpeted floor against a plain off-white wall, engaged in conversation. The man on the left is wearing a dark blue traditional outfit, and the man on the right is wearing a dark jacket over a shirt and light-colored pants, with a backpack on the floor nearby.

Where We Work

A group of 10 people standing around a large water tank outdoors on a grass lawn, with a house and trees in the background, under blue sky with clouds.

Mates Fiji

Our work began in Fiji, where long-standing relationships shaped our approach to community-led development. Programs in Fiji focus on education, water access, essential infrastructure, and ongoing support identified by the community itself.

→ Explore Mates Fiji programs

Mates Pakistan

Through trusted local partners, Mates Pakistan supports education-focused initiatives designed to expand access, opportunity, and long-term independence — particularly for girls and young people.

→ Explore Mates Pakistan programs

Contact Us
Side-by-side comparison of two rural landscapes: the left shows a coastal area with damaged buildings and fallen trees, indicating a recent hurricane or natural disaster; the right depicts a lush, green community with orderly houses, hills, and small ponds, suggesting a peaceful, unaffected location.

Mates in Crisis

Mates in Crisis is our disaster response and resilience program, created to support communities affected by climate-driven emergencies. Rather than one-off aid, this program focuses on preparedness, recovery, and long-term resilience — guided by community needs in moments of crisis.

→ Learn about Mates in Crisis

What Connects All Our Programs

Across every country and context, our programs are connected by the same commitments:

  • Community leadership over outside solutions

  • 100% volunteer-run delivery

  • Transparent use of funds

  • Long-term impact over short-term visibility

  • Respect for local knowledge, culture, and autonomy

We don’t chase scale for its own sake. We grow when relationships, trust, and capacity allow us to do so responsibly.

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