Locked in debt traps, many countries in the Global South are forced to cut back on public services just to meet repayment demands. At the same time, the global financial system is doubling down on privatization, techno-fixes, and market-first “solutions” that are implemented without democratic accountability. These approaches deepen inequality and fail to address urgent needs like climate justice—where funding prioritizes “bankable” assets over real transformation. But there’s a shift: Alternatives are emerging and the question is—can we turn these into tools for justice and people-powered change?