When it came to the cash distribution in Sudan, local actors’ understanding of the target neighbourhood contexts and fast changing dynamics were central to success. Without local leadership there wou
Operationalizing Locally-Led Development: Cultivating a Healthy Global Development Ecosystem
In recent years we’ve seen growing geopolitical polarization, increasing violent conflict and humanitarian crises, and tightening restrictions on civic space. These challenges, on top of the global p
How to fund refugee-led aid
Refugee-led organisations (RLOs) have garnered growing attention in recent years as key first-responders to humanitarian needs in the communities they are a part of and that they serve. But RLOs rece
Why aren’t we there yet? Understanding and addressing donor barriers to localisation in climate adaptation
Localisation has become a major concern across the development and humanitarian sectors. It is driving donor efforts to increase direct access for local actors to donor resources, as well as promotin
How to localize (and revolutionize) humanitarian aid? Insights from local actors in the Philippines
Despite global aspirations to localize humanitarian response and shift decision-making authority, leadership, and resources to local actors in the lead up to and during emergencies, significant chall
We need learners and thinkers on the humanitarian frontline
When humanitarians go to communities in crisis, we must first observe, see things and try to understand the dynamics. If community members are surviving in the middle of a problem, it follows that th
Peace Starts Here – The Global Movement for Local Peacebuilders.
Wednesday 31st January 2024: Today, a cohort of local peacebuilders from around the world launch Peace Starts Here, a global movement for peacebuilders. The campaigners are inviting people to sign a
Taking Localisation Beyond Labels and Lip Service
Donors increasingly speak of locally led aid response, but often do not walk the walk. Case in point is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the humanitarian and developmen
Going Local without Localization: Power and Humanitarian Response in the Syrian War
Highlights: • International humanitarians rely on local actors to deliver aid, but they do not localize by shifting authority over response to local actors. • A power framework proposes that in
Locally-led Development: Beyond Promises to Action
Over the last couple of years, we have seen an unprecedented number of commitments by funders and philanthropists to support locally-led development, increase direct funding to local actors and promo