The Infrastructure of Trust: Why Relational Approaches Matter
Across education, livelihoods, and the broader social sector, we often focus on programmes, technology, and measurable outcomes. Yet beneath all of these lies something more fundamental: relationships. Trust, collaboration, and shared understanding are not by-products of effective systems—they are the infrastructure that makes them work.
This discussion explores what it really means to take a relational approach to systems change. How do we intentionally build trust across institutions, communities, and sectors—especially in a time shaped by rapid technological change and AI? Why is social cohesion better understood as an outcome of strong relational systems, rather than a standalone goal?
Drawing on participants’ lived experiences, this session will surface stories, tensions, and practical insights on building and sustaining trust. Together, we will begin to articulate what “relational infrastructure” looks like in practice—and why investing in it may be one of the most overlooked levers for impact.
Speakers
Joy Morozov is Impact Creator at PhilanthroPower, supporting philanthropists and foundations to strengthen strategy, reflection, and decision-making.
Kaan Yilmazturk is Consultant at New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), working on systems change, evaluation, and strategy for social impact organisations.
Michael Moses is Deputy Director at Itad, supporting foundations to navigate complexity and build adaptive learning across portfolios.
Michelle Zhang is Senior Manager of Global Engagement at Yidan Prize Foundation, leading partnerships and thought leadership on the future of education.
Sonja Miokovic is Consulting Director of Community Innovation at Tamarack Institute, supporting place-based systems change and collaborative leadership.
Discussion Questions
What does “relational infrastructure” look like in practice—and where do you see it currently missing or underdeveloped?
How is trust actually built (or broken) across your work, especially between funders, implementers, and communities?
How is AI and technology reshaping trust—who or what are people placing their trust in now?
If we treated relationships as core infrastructure, what would we design or fund differently?