Funded by
French Development Agency (AFD), Fondation de France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Council and Monegasque Cooperation
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the ability of local actors, in all their diversity, to mobilise and take action. This subsequently has raised questions about the posture and operational methods of conventional humanitarian actors, whether donors, multilateral agencies or international NGOs.
As such, the limits of the dominant model of partnerships in the humanitarian sector have become apparent, both in terms of fairness and in terms of the sustainability of their results. It is a model whereby international actors design and steer projects, while local actors are often simply service providers (or sub-contractors). And yet, today, local actors bear a substantial proportion of operational risks, whether related to security, health or finances.
This study reviews the most inspiring ideas and practices related to aid localisation. Rather than focusing on the usual distinctions between local, national and international actors, it highlights the potential that they have in working together to overcome the large-scale and systemic crises of the future.
Credit photos : © February 2022, John Rutherford MICHEL – CARE Haïti
IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
There are several priorities in terms of renewing the way aid actors collaborate, regardless of their ‘label:
1/ Rebuilding the international aid system by giving priority to the complementary aspects of different aid actors, whether local, national or international.
2/ Promoting and developing ‘fair’ partnerships between different aid actors who are at different levels in terms of operations, competencies and assets.
3/ Rethinking the role of the classic humanitarian worker and inventing that of the ‘aid worker of tomorrow’ by prioritising mutual support.
4/ Promoting local actors by conducting stakeholder analyses, taking into account associations, local authorities, and community-based and citizen-based actors, and by adopting a geographical or territorial perspective
5/ Promoting mutual and reciprocal learning
6/ Considering whether the fundamental principles of aid and solidarity in crisis contexts could be adaptable
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