EXPLAINING THE SLIDING SCALE – AN INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL SOLUTION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE MOBILIZATION IN EDUCATION

EXPLAINING THE SLIDING SCALE – AN INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL SOLUTION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE MOBILIZATION IN EDUCATION

The current financial and economic system continuously reinforces a scarcity mindset. As the market economy expands, more aspects of life become commercialized. Market transactions are inherently anonymous and detached, minimizing human relationships as the system incentivizes maximizing individual profit. This leads to an increasing dependence on money to meet basic needs, making it more difficult for marginalized groups to keep up with societal progress. A clear example of this is the rising cost of university tuition, which makes social mobility even less accessible for those with fewer financial resources.

To build a compassionate society, we need a different approach to the monetary economy. Large-scale change starts at the individual level, then extends to organizations and communities. The Vcil Community Membership Network was established with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.

With these values in mind, Vcil Community aims to open doors for those who may be left behind due to financial difficulties. The cost of education should not be a barrier to participation. Imagine a potential social innovator losing the chance to develop their skills simply because they are “temporarily short on money”! Relevance and necessity should be the key factors in accessing education.

At the same time, learning programs must also be financially sustainable in order to operate effectively. The responsibility of maintaining these programs should be shared collectively among learners. To foster this sense of co-creation and co-ownership, beneficiaries must feel invested in the process. A transparent cost-sharing system and resource-sharing approach will strengthen these values and ensure the sustainability of inclusive education.

From there, participants will develop a deeper understanding of each other’s financial differences. This transforms the relationship between people and money into one of abundance. Every individual possesses countless inner treasures, and if community resources are utilized effectively, inclusivity can be achieved.

The “Flexible Contribution System for Vcil Community Members” (Sliding Scale) was created to fulfill this vision.

How Does This System Work?

Educational programs that apply this model will transparently disclose the minimum total cost required for them to take place. Registrants can choose to contribute financially at different levels, including:

• Fully Supported Participation: Equivalent to receiving full financial support to attend the program.

• “Basic” Contribution Level: Covers variable individual costs such as accommodation, food, etc.

• “Moderate” Contribution Level: Covers individual variable costs (accommodation, food, etc.) and partially contributes to fixed costs such as expert fees and program design.

• “Standard” Contribution Level: Covers individual variable costs + the fixed costs of the group, including expert fees and program design.

• “Generous” Contribution Level: In addition to covering variable and fixed costs, any surplus funds will support participants with limited financial capacity or contribute to Vcil Community.

Flexible Contribution System for Vcil Community Membership (Sliding Scale): including 5 options for financial contribution

Vcil Community will review applications, assess the projected budget, and inform participants whether the program can proceed. This model operates based on trust, allowing members to select a contribution level that aligns with their financial situation.

About the “Pay-it-Forward Fund”

The Fully Supported Participation contributions are funded by the “Pay-it-Forward Fund”, meaning that the costs for these participants are covered by someone who came before them. Recipients of this support are encouraged to contribute back to the fund at any time, with any amount (equal to, less than, or greater than the amount they received).

Additionally, those receiving this financial support are required to write a reflection and report after the program, sharing knowledge with other community members who have not yet had the opportunity to attend.

This fund is sustained by voluntary contributions from community members, profits from Vcil Community projects, or external funding. It is strictly allocated to educational programs organized by Vcil Community. The number of Fully Supported Participation spots available per program depends on the fund’s budget. Every month, Vcil Community will publish a financial report on this fund for the community.

REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE: COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING JOURNEY

The total actual cost of the program for a group of 15 people is 89,000,000 VND.

This cost includes accommodation, three meals a day, use of local transportation, expert fees, and entrance fees for learning sites.

However, this cost does NOT include expenses for logistics support, program design, and coordination by Vcil Community.

[Contribution Levels]

To support four Vcil Community members and one partner from Local Futures in joining the program, the following financial contribution options are available for community members:

• Support Contribution: 0 VND (Fully funded participation).

• Basic Contribution: 4,350,000 VND – Covers variable individual costs such as meals, accommodation, and local transportation.

• Moderate Contribution: 6,350,000 VND – Covers individual variable costs plus a partial contribution to fixed costs such as expert fees and program design.

• Standard Contribution: 8,900,000 VND – Covers all individual variable costs plus expert fees and learning site visits.

• Generous Contribution: 11,900,000 VND – Covers all individual and fixed costs, plus provides surplus funds to support participants with limited financial capacity.

SLIDING SCALE IS CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE FOR VCIL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

[Register for membership here]