Toms partners with The Advocacy Academy to empower generation of changemakers

Footwear and lifestyle brand, Toms has partnered with grassroots organisation, The Advocacy Academy, to empower young advocates to campaign for the change they want to see in their local communities.

The collaboration is inspired by Toms' aim to support local organisations that drive change and comes after the brand announced it would be stepping away from its one for one business model and instead committing one third (1/3) of its profits to grassroots projects.

The Toms impact grant will help to support 122 graduates of The Advocacy Academy’s Social Justice Fellowship Programme. This will allow the programme to become self-sustaining through the establishment of financial mechanisms, the development of decision-making processes and further mentorship and skillset development.

Amy Smith, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Toms, said: "The past 15 years of giving have shown us that community leaders know best what is needed for their peers to thrive.

"We’re proud to work with The Advocacy Academy to develop their own campaigns, following their personal visions for a more equitable society. We’re here to support their efforts."

The grant will also help support the academy's Spark programme, which introduces adolescents to social justice and community organising. Along with the Changemaker apprenticeship programmes, which train young advocates to become changemakers and facilitators on the Fellowship themselves.

The Advocacy Academy is a youth organising movement working to create a more just and equitable society. They combine the practice of community organising, youth work and training in social justice and systemic analysis.

Saba Shafi, CEO of The Advocacy Academy, said: "It’s great to see brands like Toms, who have been committed to social impact from the beginning, realise the power of grassroots movements in creating lasting change. As Toms' first European partner, we’re excited to bring them on this journey with us."