Windhoek: The One Economy Foundation has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, cutting 12 permanent positions after experiencing a 25% decrease in its operating budget due to reduced funding from one of its major donors.According to Namibia Press Agency, the foundation stated in a media release that the reduction in funding necessitated challenging decisions to ensure the continuity of its core services. The funding cut by one of its top five donors prompted a workforce reduction from 37 to 25 permanent employees. The decision was made to protect the delivery of essential services to the community.The foundation clarified that this restructuring is indicative of a larger trend of declining global donor funding impacting non-profit organizations, rather than issues specific to the foundation itself. The affected employees were notified promptly and offered a three-month exit period, along with support services including psychosocial support, financial assistance, career transition services, a nd flexible working arrangements.The foundation emphasized that the decision to restructure does not reflect the performance or dedication of the affected staff but is purely a response to the financial situation. The donor responsible for the funding reduction has assured that the specific programs they support, along with their beneficiaries, will remain unaffected.Despite the funding challenges, the foundation's other programs will continue as usual, supported by multiple donors and existing multi-year funding agreements. The One Economy Foundation remains committed to providing integrated services for young people, such as skills development, entrepreneurship, sexual and reproductive health services, mental health support, STEM education, and after-school care programs.However, the foundation acknowledged that some advocacy-focused events have been canceled and plans for expansion into new communities may face delays. It also mentioned its expectation of generating dividend income from its five perc ent shareholding in Bannerman Energy Ltd by around 2031, contingent on the company's performance.