What if the good you do could go much further? Effective altruism is a global community using evidence and reason to answer one question: how can we help others as much as possible? And then actually doing something about it. Whoever you are and whatever you care about, if you want your time, talent or resources to count, there's a place for you here.
Watch: what is effective altruism?
A short introduction to the idea, and the people behind it.
A question, not an answer
Effective altruism doesn't hand you a cause, a method, or even a fixed definition of "the most good." Those are yours to explore. What it offers is a way of thinking, and a community to think alongside.
- No prescribed cause. Global health, animal welfare, education, climate, pandemics, AI, or something nobody has spotted yet: you weigh the evidence and decide.
- No prescribed method. Your career, your giving, your research, your voice, your vote: do good with whatever you have.
- No monopoly on "good". Thoughtful people disagree about what matters most, and that debate is welcome.
Anyone who genuinely wants to help others more effectively is welcome.
Effective altruism is a question, not an answer: how can I do the most good with what I have?
Thinking is the start. Acting is the point.
EA is both an intellectual project and a community. The careful thinking matters, but it only counts when it changes what we actually do: a career pointed at a bigger problem, a donation sent where it goes furthest, a project started, a policy shifted. This is a community of people who follow through.
What unites the community
馃挍 Care impartially
Everyone's wellbeing counts, wherever and whoever they are.
馃殌 Act on it
Turn conclusions into action, then learn and improve.
馃攳 Think clearly
Follow evidence and reason, and change your mind when it points elsewhere.
馃 Go further together
Collaboration and networks multiply what any of us can do alone.
A global community, thriving in Africa
This is a worldwide community, with thoughtful and active groups in Africa. Globally there are more than 250 local groups across 42 countries, and thousands of people taking part. Closer to home, the community has been growing since around 2018, with active groups including EA South Africa, EA UCT, EA Johannesburg, EA Namibia, EA Zimbabwe, EA Nairobi and EA Rwanda.
You don鈥檛 need to do anything to be part of it
There's no fee, no pledge, no obligation. You don't have to give money, switch careers, or sign up to anything. You're welcome exactly as you are, to take what's useful and leave the rest.
However, it is worth leaning in. The real value here is the people. A single conversation, mentor, collaborator or introduction can unlock far more impact than going it alone. These networks have launched careers, charities and lifelong friendships.
Is this for you?
If you're ambitious, ready to act, and you want your work and resources to genuinely matter, you may have just found what you've been looking for. Whether you lead a company, a lab, a classroom or a community, the question is the same: how do we do the most good with what we have? This is a community of people who decided that doing some good wasn't enough, and went looking for the most good they could do.
Let's start together
New to all this? You don't have to navigate it alone. Effective Altruism South Africa is your first point of contact. Tell us where you are and what you care about, and we'll point you to the right next step: the people, programs, resources and opportunities that fit you, and we'll walk part of the way with you.
Take the first step: Get in touch 路 Explore the resources 路 Join the community