There is widespread recognition that development and humanitarian assistance must devolve more resources and decision making power to local levels. But locally led does not mean local alone. International NGOs and multilaterals like the UN each play valuable roles alongside government and local civil society. What is needed is better, more intentional partnerships that leverage the unique strengths of each entity and focus on how these partnerships can reinforce local leadership rather than displace it.
Read MoreFor five years, The Share Trust has worked to shift power and funding to local actors. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration, we’ve gathered practical lessons on moving from intention to implementation. Our series, 5 Years, 5 Actions: From Learning to Practice, outlines five pathways for donors, INGOs, and global institutions to help build more equitable, locally led systems.
Action 1 focuses on a critical moment for humanitarian reform: the rapid expansion of UN OCHA’s Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs). As billions in new humanitarian funding begin to flow, a key question emerges: will this moment accelerate localization, or reinforce the same top-down systems the humanitarian sector is trying to change?
Do you want to take on Action 1? Click here to download and share our two-pager!
The Share Trust conducted a study for FCDO's "Social Protection Technical Assistance, Advice and Resources (STAAR) Facility" examining the role of diverse local actors in gender-responsive and inclusive social protection systems, including in crisis contexts. Working with local researchers in six countries—Afghanistan, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sudan—we identified barriers that limit local actor engagement and explored opportunities to strengthen their agency and leadership across social protection processes. Two synthesis reports and accompanying policy briefs present evidence-based recommendations for funding partners and international actors to support locally led social protection efforts.
Read MoreThe Share Trust recently co-authored a report, in partnership with ALNAP, showcasing promising intermediary models that support locally led humanitarian action. Drawing on case studies and original research, the report outlines how donors can strengthen or reform intermediaries to more effectively empower local leadership in crisis response. This report was presented to a donor roundtable with European bilateral donors, philanthropy and local intermediaries, helping to inform policy decisions now and in the future.
Download the briefing document here
Read MoreThe evidence on Self Help Groups in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Uganda shows how and where local and national organizations can fit in to best support and complement the needs of community driven initiatives.
Read MoreA study by the Share Trust and the Warande Advisory Centre estimates the economic implications of shifting 25% of ODA - aligned with Grand Bargain and USAID commitments - from international to local intermediary structures. The analysis estimates that local intermediaries could deliver programming that is 32% more cost efficient than international intermediaries, equate to a cost savings of US$4.3bn annually (based on 2018 ODA), and redeploy $680m in salary and overhead costs to local actors when modeling equitable rates.
Read MoreThis evidence brief by the Share Trust highlights how girls’ groups can serve as a promising tool to help adolescent girls thrive as they explore their needs and boundaries alongside peers and mentors.
Read MoreThe Local Coalition Accelerator (LCA) is a new platform whose aim is to bridge the gap between bi-laterals, multi-laterals, philanthropy and local actors to fundamentally change the way that international assistance is designed and delivered. The LCA leverages, partners with and amplifies existing localization efforts, via its Advisory Council, to support coalitions of local actors who can effectively co-design and implement holistic, evidence-based programming at scale to address systemic, multi-sectoral problems.
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