I've tried to find projects that truely put the "local agenda" of the end user at the heart of their work. "Facilitator projects" that are not becoming a stakeholder, but a means to a (local) end. Giving people tools to improve their own situation in their own way, extra opportunities to be effective with their energy and ambitions.

Some of my favourites:

• Nabuur.com: realising concrete local results with global neighbours
• Kabissa: catalysing conversations in Africa
• TakingITglobal: Generation Ne(x)t
• Martus: being able to bear witness when human rights are violated
• The Hub: another one to bear witness
• Dgroups: involving more stakeholders in policy discussions

I like to consider myself an optimist, and browsing through the list of 150 wonderful projects reconfirms my belief that so many people are trying to do so many good things, with many potential synergies as well. It's brutal to have to bring down the selection to only 10 for my vote.