![]() ![]() Over the past decade, this complex environment–biology interface has shown increasing promise as a potential pathway for the intergenerational transmission of the effects of trauma. Epigenetics has been described as the means through which environmental influences “get under the skin,” directing transcriptional activity and influencing the expression or suppression of genes. ![]() Recent methodological advances have spurred investigations of potential epigenetic mechanisms for this inheritance, representing an exciting area of emergent research. The question of whether and how the effects of cultural trauma can be transmitted intergenerationally from parents to offspring, or even to later generations, has evoked interest and controversy in academic and popular forums. If we as funders seek to do trauma-informed work and heal systems of human interaction, it makes sense that we heal our own. As is often the case, we are capable to produce that which we are. But at the root, much of the work intends for individuals to thrive, and for systems to support, rather than harm. Those of us moving resources towards social impact have many different strategies, approaches, and institutional cultures. This piece guides funders to widen our frame and offers seven practical process shifts to increase funders’ capacity to take a systems view, do less harm, and have deeper impact. Specifically, we are working from frames that limit our view, and from processes that, even once we expand our perspective, limit our capacity to act. This is because we are not seeing the whole picture. However, in spite of resources expended, those of us making funding decisions may not be having the impact we intend, and might be missing the impact that is possible. The urgency feels sharper as so many people are experiencing physical or mental suffering or trauma of some kind. There is growing imperative for healing, from governments, social change leaders, and certainly among philanthropies funding social good. In supporting survivors’ sense of safety, agency, and community, changemakers can help create space for survivors to express their stories and take action for their own wellbeing. Healing through strengths-based practices is essential, and changemakers and changemaking organisations can play a key role in empowering survivors through their healing process. ![]() The framework presents a compelling case for embedding trauma-informed and strength-based practices into social change work, inviting dialogues to help everyone, especially survivors of trauma, move through resilience to wellbeing and healing. The research confirms the inseparable relationship between trauma and wellbeing, emphasizing the critical role of individual and collective healing in unlocking social transformation. It explores the diverse manifestations and effects of trauma today and intergenerationally – locating both at the heart of historical systems of oppression and ongoing social challenges including poverty, violence, and inequality. T his framework identifies the ongoing presence and impacts of trauma as inhibitors for individual, collective, and systemic wellbeing in doing so, it illustrates how processing and healing from trauma can unlock social transformation, resilience, and human flourishing. ![]()
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