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Localisation Workstream Resources
Find important resources produced and distributed by the Grand Bargain Localisation Workstream below
Localisation Workstream Country-Level Dialogue Resource Kit
This resource kit has been developed for the Grand Bargain Localisation Workstream and is a compilation of Workstream guidance products as well as reference materials on localisation produced by Workstream member agencies and independent consultants and research groups. It is intended to be used primarily as background and guidance materials by local actors and Grand Bargain signatories in the GB Localisation Workstream-facilitated country level dialogues. (Arabic version, French version, Spanish version)
Full Document
Full Document Grand Bargain Localisation Workstream Country Level Dialogue Resource Kit – (Arabic version, French version, Spanish version)
Section 1 Introduction to the Resource Kit
Section 2 The Grand Bargain and Localisation Commitments
Section 3 What is Localisation?
Section 4 Glossary of Localisation Terms
Section 5 Localisation Guidance Notes
Section 6 IASC Interim Guidance on Localisation and COVID-19 Response
Section 7 Other Learning Resources
Country Level Dialogue Updates and Reports
- Country Level Dialogues on Localisation (2021)
- Colombia – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (Spanish) (English) (2021)
- Nigeria – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English) (2021)
- Philippines – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English) (2021)
- Somalia – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English)
- Syria – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English) (2021)
Workstream Core Documents and Reports
Localisation Workstream Core Documents
- Country Level Dialogues on Localisation (2021)
- Colombia – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (Spanish) (English) (2021)
- Nigeria – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English) (2021)
- Philippines – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English) (2021)
- Somalia – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English)
- Syria – Country Level Dialogue Final Report (English) (2021)
- Localisation Workstream Successes and Bottlenecks (June 2019)
- Localisation Workstream Workplan 2017- 2019 (2019)
- Core Commitment Indicators and Target Results (CCTRI) (2019)
- Optional Localisation Financing Data Collection Form (2019)
- ToR – Missions to Demonstrator Countries (2018)
- Key definitions and categories of measurement (2017)
Localisation Workstream Reports
- Guidance Notes on Localization (2021)
- Co-Conveners’ Annual Report (2021)
- Workstream Planning Workshop September (2021)
- Leveraging Nexus Financing, June 2021 – Outcome Document (2021)
- Leveraging Investment Across the Nexus for Local Actors’ Capacity Strengthening – Summary Report (2020)
- Workstream 2 on Localisation: Potential of pooled funds for localisation (2020)
- Global Meeting on Localization (2020)
- Co-convenors’ Summary of Progress Report 2019 (2019)
- Final Mission Report – Nigeria (2019)
- Co-Conveners’ Summary of Self-Reports – Spanish Version (2019)
- TOR for Research on Country-Level Financing Solutions for Local Actors (2019)
- Demonstrator Country Mission Reports – Executive Summary (2018-2019)
- Final Mission Report – Iraq (2018)
- Final Mission Report – Bangladesh (Sep 2018)
- Co-Conveners’ Summary of Self-Reports (Jun 2018)
- Co-Conveners’ Summary of Workstream Progress Report (Oct 2017)
Localisation Workstream Workshop Reports
Localisation Workstream Meeting Minutes
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference –Sept 2020
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Oct 2019
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – July 2019
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – April 2019
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Feb 2019
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Dec 2018
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Oct 2018
- Localisation Workstream Extraordinary Teleconference – Sept 2018
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference -July 2018
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – May 2018
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Mar 2018
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Nov 2017
- Localisation Workstream Teleconference – Sept 2017
Other Documents
- Grand Bargain Aide Memoire – Gender Mainstreaming
- Risk-sharing Framework (2023)
- Guidance: How to implement the Grand Bargain commitments at the country-level? (2023)
- Lessons learned from the Grand Bargain Caucus on Quality Funding and recommendations for the way forward (2022)
- Map of the Implementation of the Grand Bargain commitments at country-level (2022)
- Development Actors and the Nexus: Lessons from crises in Bangladesh, Cameroon and Somalia (2021)
- Envisioning the Grand Bargain – Documenting the Child Protection AoR approach to localisation from 2017-2019 (2020)
- The Programme Based Approach – 10 lessons (2020)
- Charter4Change: A Synopsis of Grand Bargain Signatories’ Achievements and Challenges Implementing their Grand Bargain Workstream 2 Commitments on Localisation (2020)
- Multi-year and flexible funding – Definitions Guidance (2020)
- Supporting Grand Bargain signatories in meeting commitments to greater transparency (2020)
- CCNF Position on JRP 2019 for Rohingya Response (2019)
- Multi-year humanitarian funding: a thematic evaluation (2019)
- The Grand Bargain in Practice: Examples of implementation in a visual map (2019)
- Financing the nexus gaps and opportunities from a field perspective (2019)
- Key questions and considerations for donors at the triple nexus lessons from UK and Sweden (2019)
- CSOs Letter to Donor Conference, DRC (Apr 2018)
- The Grand Bargain – A Shared Commitment to Better Serve People in Need (2016)
Other Resources on Localisation
In this section you will find links to previous and ongoing projects, as well as reports and research about localisation. You can also share your own related material with us by following this link or leave a comment at the bottom of this page. The reports gathered in this section are for convenience and do not necessarily represent the views of the members of the Grand Bargain Localisation Workstream.
Localisation Initiatives and Projects
- Grand Bargain for NGOs – Fostering NGO’s and frontline responders’ engagement
- Alliance 4 Empowering Partnerships – Alliance representing civil society organizations for South-South and triangular cooperation. Read their founding statement here
- Charter for Change -The Charter for Change is an initiative that aims to transform the way the humanitarian system operates to enable southern-based national actors to play an increased and more prominent role in humanitarian response
- OXFAM’s Empowering Local and National Humanitarian Actors (ELNHA), a three-year project which focuses on strengthening the role of LNHAs in disaster-affected Uganda and Bangladesh
- National Society Investment Alliance – a joint initiative by IFRC and ICRC to increase investment in National Societies
- Strategic Humanitarian Assessment and Participatory Empowerment (SHAPE) Framework – a tool developed by the START Network to support local and national organizations to assess their capacity to control and influence the humanitarian response
- Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative’s Subsidy Fund
- National Alliance of Humanitarian Actors in Bangladesh (NAHAB)
- National Humanitarian Network Pakistan
- Shared Aid Fund For Emergency Response (SAFER)
- The United Nations’ Partner Portal
- Start Network’s Bringing localisation to action in Ethiopia
- Start Fund Bangladesh
- Shifting the Power
- Start Network’s Start Evolves – The Value of Hubs in Jordan and Kenya
- Accelerating Localisation Through Partnerships (National NGO Fora and ActionAid, CAFOD, CARE, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Tearfund)
- Global Protection Cluster (GPC) Localisation Initiative – Supporting local partners to take their rightful place at the centre of the humanitarian system
- Near Network – A movement of Civil Society Organisations from the global south, promoting fair, equitable and dignified partnerships
Reports and Research on Localisation
2023
- Centre for Humanitarian Action- Localisation in Practice – Facilitating equitable partnership in humanitarian project management
- ALNAP- A more localised aid system: current status discourse
- CARE- Integrating Local Knowledge in Humanitarian and Development Programming: Perspectives of Global Women Leaders
2022
- Tufts University- Localization: A “Landscape” Report
- ODI- Inclusion and exclusion in humanitarian action: findings from a three-year study
- ALNAP- Enabling the local response: Emerging humanitarian priorities in Ukraine
- ALNAP- Localization in Practice: Realities from Women’s Rights and Women-Led Organizations in Poland
- IFRC- Study: Localization of Humanitarian Action in the Red Cross Red Crescent
- ALNAP- The State of Local Humanitarian Leadership: A learning report on a series of LHL online convenings held in Asia, the Middle East and Northern Africa, the Pacific, and West Africa
- Humanitarian Advisory Group- Demonstrating change on locally led humanitarian action in the Pacific: Ki Namuka vata ga nikua
- ALNAP- Localisation in Myanmar Supporting and reinforcing Myanmar actors
- British Red Cross- Is aid really changing?
2021
- Humanitarian Advisory Group, Glow, Colab, Insights – Bridging the intention to action gap: The future role of intermediaries in supporting locally led humanitarian action
- Philippines Humanitarian Country Team- MOVING FORWARD LOCALISATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
- ODI/HPN- Localisation, racism and decolonisation: Hollow talk or real look in the mirror?
- Humanitarian Policy Group- Local Humanitarian Action During COVID-19
- Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI, Humanitarian Advisory Group- Interrogating the Evidence Base on Humanitarian Localisation
- British Red Cross Cash Hub- Strengthening Locally Led Humanitarian Action Through Cash Preparedness
- Humanitarian Advisory Group- Bridging the Intention to Action Gap: The Future Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Locally Led Humanitarian Action (Full Report) – (Executive Summary)
- Translators Without Borders/Global Education Cluster- Accessible Humanitarian Coordination Guidance
- Translators Without Borders- The Accessibility and Use of Child Protection and Education in Emergencies Guidance
2020
- ActionAid- Leading the way: Women-led localization in Central Sulawesi: Towards gender transformative action
- GB WS2 Pooled Fund subgroup- Desk review on Enhancing the Potential of Pooled Funds for Localisation
- Local2Global Protection- Localisation in Numbers
- Australia Red Cross- A case study on the TC Harold Response during Covid 19
- Save the Children- Turning the tables, insights from locally-led humanitarian partnerships in conflict-affected situations
- Feinstein International Center- “We must be the pioneers”: Perspectives on localisation in the response to the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake in Indonesia
- Humanitarian Advisory Group – Measuring Localisation – Framework and Tools
2019
- Development Initiatives, NRC, Canada- Field perspectives on multi-year humanitarian funding and planning: How theory has translated into practice in Jordan and Lebanon
- IFRC – Country-level Financing Solutions for Local Actors (& case studies on Colombia, Ethiopia & Ukraine)
- Feinstein International Center- Views from the ground: Perspectives on localisation in the Horn of Africa
- ODI- Beyond local and international: humanitarian action at the margins
- ODI – Rethinking capacity and complementarity for more local humanitarian action
- Christian Aid –Pathways to Localisation
- IFRC – Localised Humanitarian Response in the Pacific
- Humanitarian Advisory Group – Localisation in Tonga: Demonstrating Change
- Humanitarian Advisory Group – Localisation in Vanuatu: Demonstrating Change
- Local2Global – Funding to local actors still far from the Grand Bargain commitments – Infographs and new research
- ActionAid – The Localization of Aid to Jordan and Lebanon. Barriers and Opportunities for Women-led Organizations
- Australian Red Cross – Lessons Learned From a Locally Led Emergency Response
- ActionAid – Making the Local Global – Supporting Local Women Leaders’ Participation in Global Humanitarian Spaces – Guidance Note and Checklist
- Global Protection Cluster – Advancing the Localisation Agenda in Protection Coordination Groups – Learning Paper
- Localising Humanitarian Responses: Unpacking Perceptions on Localisation Event – Summary Report
- ODI – Localising Emergency Preparedness and Response through Partnerships
- ODI – Local Humanitarian Action in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Interaction- NGOs & Risk: Managing Uncertainty in International-Local Partnerships
- Humanitarian Advisory Group – Charting the New Norm? Local Leadership in the First 100 Days of the Sulawesi Earthquake Response
- Australian Red Cross – Protecting People in Locally Led Disaster Response
- Christian Aid – Accelerating Localisation through Partnership: Country Summaries: Myanmar, Nigeria, Nepal, South Sudan
- Christian Aid – Accelerating Localisation through Partnership – Global Research Summary
- Overseas Development Institute – The 2017 Pre-famine Response in Somalia. Progress on Reform?
- South Sudan NGO Forum – Cost Efficiency Discussion Paper
2018
- Overseas Development Institute – Capacity and Complementarity in the Rohingya Response in Bangladesh
- British Red Cross – The Case for Complementarity
- Catholic Relief Services – The Missing Link: The Role of Local Institutions in Refugee Response
- ICVA – Localization Examined: An ICVA Briefing Paper
- Humanitarian Advisory Group – Tracking Progress on Localisation: A Pacific Perspective
- Overseas Development Institute – As local as possible, as international as necessary: Understanding capacity and complementarity in humanitarian action
- Local to Global Protection – Learning from community-led resilience responses in the occupied Palestinian territories
- Humanitarian Outcomes – Turning Rhetoric into Resources: Transforming the Financing of Civil Society in the Global South
- Global Protection Cluster – Global Protection Cluster annual meeting _Localisation
- Humanitarian Advisory Group – Tracking Progress on Localisation: A Pacific Perspective
- Regional Inter Agency Partnership – RIAP Charter on Humanitarian Localisation
- Charter for Change – Update from InterAction/Catholic Relief Services discussion on localisation
- Peer 2 Peer Support – Supporting Principled National and Local NGOs in Humanitarian Response
- DEPP Learning Project – Localisation in Practice: Emerging Indicators and Practical Recommendations
- Development Initiatives – Global humanitarian assistance report 2018.
- IFRC/Wolfgroup – Provision and conditions of core/overhead/indirect costs for local/national humanitarian actors
2017
- Actionaid – Promoting localised, women-led approaches to humanitarian responses.
- Australian Red Cross – Going Local: Achieving a more appropriate and fit-for-purpose humanitarian ecosystem in the Pacific.
- Charter for Change – From commitments to action: Progress Report 2016-2017.
- Development Initiatives – Global Humanitarian Assistance Report 2017.
- Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute [ODI] – From Grand Bargain to beneficiary: An analysis of funding flows through the humanitarian system.
- Humanitarian Aid International – Towards a Localised Humanitarian Response in India.
- Network for Empowered Aid Response [NEAR] – Localization of Aid – Towards Realising Commitments to Local/National NGO (LNNGO) Capacity strengthening.
- Norwegian Refugee Council [NRC] – Understanding Humanitarian Funds: Going beyond Country-Based Pooled Funds.
- Rift Valley Institute – Improving aid delivery through localization in Somalia.
- Shifting the Power – Localisation of Aid: Are INGOs Walking The Talk?
- 2016
- ActionAid, CAFOD, CARE, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Tearfund – Opportunity Knocks: Realising the potential of partnerships in the Nepal earthquake response – November 2016.
- Care International – Localisation in Practice: A Pacific Case Study.
- Local to Global Protection [LG2P] – Funding to national and local humanitarian actors in Syria: Between sub-contracting and partnerships.
- Medecins Sans Frontiers – Emergency gap: The challenges of localised humanitarian aid.
2015
- Global Finance Strategies – Going Local: The Promise and Challenge of Aid Localisation.
- International Council of Voluntary Agencies [ICVA] – A Comparison Review of UN Project Partnership Agreements for NGO Implementation of Humanitarian Projects.
- Charter for Change – Localisation of Humanitarian Aid.
2013
- Overseas Development Institute – Localising aid: a whole of society approach.
- Overseas Development Institute – Localising aid: is it worth the risk?
- Overseas Development Institute – Localising aid: sustaining change in the public, private and civil society sectors.
2012
- Overseas Development Institute – Localising aid: can using local actors strengthen them?
2008
- Development Initiatives – Good Humanitarian Donorship: Indirect Support Cost Study: Final Report.
Localisation in the News
DevPolicyBlog (6/9/19) – Asia and the Pacific: Nudging the System on Humanitarian Reform.
Devex (31/5/2019) – Putting localization at the center of the humanitarian future.
Devex (29/3/2019) – New framework to get the localization balance right.
The New Humanitarian (16/4/2019) – Faces on the front line of local aid. A video series on local emergency response from the ground up.
The New Humanitarian (9/4/2019) – Roundtable: Going local. “If you’re not ready to change, we haven’t come very far.”
The New Humanitarian (21/3/19) – From the ground up: Inside the push to reshape aid. Stories that explore locally driven humanitarian action on the front lines of the world’s crises.
The New Humanitarian (18/9/18) – Local aid groups want more of a say in the Rohingya refugee response. In Bangladesh, grassroots groups feel overshadowed despite being the backbone of the massive aid effort.
Global Policy (21/8/18) – What would a Feminist Approach to Localisation of Humanitarian Action look like? GP Opinion.
The New Humanitarian (8/8/2018) – From evacuee to humanitarian: aid goes local in conflict-torn Marawi. How a shattered Philippine city has become a test case for localisation.
Devex (25/4/2018) – Battleships instead of canoes: Why localization matters in the Pacific.
Refugee Host – Localisation Series.
Thomson Reuters Foundation News (27/12/2017) – Expert Views – With crises set to worsen, what are aid groups’ priorities for 2018? The Thomson Reuters Foundation asked 10 aid agencies to name their top priorities for 2018.
Thomson Reuters Foundation (9/11/2017) – Rising to the challenges in the humanitarian sector. By Elhadj As Sy (IFRC) and Yves Daccord (ICRC).
Devex (8/11/2017) – Exclusive: Red Cross provides a localization action plan for the Pacific and lessons for global understanding.
Devex (26/7/2017) – Red Cross tips for localizing humanitarian response.
Devex (24/7/2017) – Localization moves from advocacy to implementation in Indo-Pacific.
The New Humanitarian (22/3/2017) – Hunting for the Grand Bargain. Fixing emergency aid, one committee at a time.