Launched in March 2020, the ToGETHER program is a dedicated initiative aimed at enabling local actors to take the leading role in delivering of effective, timely, accountable, and principled humanitarian action within and their respective countries and tailored to the specific needs of each region.
Localization
As local as possible, as international as necessary: The ToGETHER program promotes local ownership and leadership in humanitarian action.
The humanitarian system acknowledges the need for better responses to the growing humanitarian crises intensified by climate change, armed conflicts and disasters. Local actors, often the first responders on the ground, provide timely and effective assistance and possess unique advantages due to their proximity to affected communities and deep understanding of local contexts. Recognizing these strengths in access, understanding, and community knowledge, efforts have been made towards a more localized humanitarian action. The goal is to grant these actors greater decision-making power.
However, historically, only a small portion of humanitarian aid funding goes directly to local organizations. Efforts to change this gained momentum at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, where the Grand Bargain aimed to increase direct funding to local actors to 25%. Over time, there’s been a growing consensus among governments and humanitarian organizations about the importance of local leadership in humanitarian actions, leading to various agreements and initiatives, such as the Principles of Partnership and the Charter for Change, emphasizing the need to strengthen the role of local actors in humanitarian actions.
But what does “localization” mean?
The concept of localizationin humanitarian action aims to redefine power dynamics by promoting equitable partnerships and enabling local actors to make decisions and lead responses. It represents a shift towards greater local ownership and leadership. It involves collaboration among various stakeholders, including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local civil society organizations, governmental authorities, and traditional leaders. By emphasizing the recognition of local expertise, localization promotes meaningful participation and improves their access to essential resources such as quality funding, institutional capacity, and coordination platforms within their respective humanitarian systems. It also highlights the importance of sharing resources and decision-making power to create a more inclusive and locally driven humanitarian response, ultimately aiming for greater effectiveness.
Challenges
However, challenges persist in fully recognizing the potential of local actors in humanitarian efforts despite their benefits. Critiques highlight ongoing power imbalances and the centrality of international actors in decision-making processes. Hindered by a lack of political will and donor requirements, international organizations must reevaluate their roles to embrace a shift in power dynamics. The current top-down model undermines local ownership, often leading to a gap between the intended goals and local understanding. There’s also a discrepancy between the frontline role of local actors and their influence in shaping strategies and policies.
To address this, localization efforts should enable local NGOs and communities to shape and implement strategies according to their needs. At the same time, INGOs should commit to fostering equitable partnerships in humanitarian efforts. This shift aligns with principles like Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), which emphasizes the importance of communication, participation, and feedback from affected communities. It recognizes the importance of enabling them to influence decisions that impact their own lives and advocates for a change in existing power structures within the humanitarian sector.
What is WHH doing? The ToGETHER program
The “Towards Greater Effectiveness and Timeliness in Humanitarian Emergency Response” Program, ToGETHER, initiated by WHH together with Caritas Germany, Malteser International and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, promotes the localization of humanitarian action by fostering collaboration among 40 local and national NGOs across Bangladesh, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Somalia. With substantial funding exceeding 17 million Euros from the German Federal Foreign Office, the program aims to strengthen institutional and ’operational capacities, advocate for local leadership in the humanitarian system, and facilitate cross-border learning and knowledge exchange.
Components of the ToGETHER program:
1. Local Leadership: We design the governance structures within the program to reflect the leading role of local actors. The Country Steering Committees (CSC), comprising representatives of each local partner in one country, set strategic directions and monitor actions at the national level. The Program Advisory Committee (PAC), with one representative from each country, oversees overarching global initiatives. This setup ensures collective decision-making and strategic direction at both national and international levels.
2. Capacity Sharing: Through capacity self-assessments and joint planning, local partners develop organizational capacity strengthening and sharing strategies. We work with these partners to implement the strategies through tailored activities like trainings, workshops, peer learning, and mentoring. This ensures tailored and continuous joint development and knowledge sharing among participating organizations.
3. HOIFA – Flexible Funding for Humanitarian Innovation and Action: The Humanitarian Operation and Innovation Facility (HOIFA) provides flexible funding for emergency responseinitiatives and innovative approaches. Managed at the local level by the CSC, and at the global level by PAC, HOIFA funds are allocated based on the priorities identified, ensuring quick and efficient action in times of crisis based on contextual knowledge and local needs, and fostering mutual learning between local and international partners.
4. Learning, Exchange, and Advocacy: ToGETHER facilitates various initiatives at national, regional, and international levels to promote reflection, dialogue, and evidence-based learning among involved stakeholders, including other local and international organizations, donors, authorities, and relevant networks. Advocating for priorities such as equitable partnership and flexible funding, ToGETHER enhances the representation of local actors in humanitarian coordination and promotes their voices in international policy making.
The ToGETHER approach:
- Emphasizes the importance of local ownership and leadership in humanitarian action.
- Focuses on promoting local and national actors' leadership and decision-making capacity within their respective countries.
- Advocates for equitable partnerships, accessibility to quality funding, and effective coordination mechanisms.
- Commits to strengthening civil society and involving local actors in international discourses.
- Builds lasting partnerships grounded in mutual respect and trust.
- Facilitates dialogue, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and network building.
The program's successful completion in April 2024 will lead into a second phase, expected to start in mid-2024 and continue through mid-2027. More information about the second phase will be available soon.
Localization: at the core of WHH’s work
Beyond the ToGETHER program, WHH's commitment to localization is reflected in its strategic initiative "One World – Zero Hunger," which underscores the centrality of local actors and communities in our approach. Additionally, deliberations on localization and putting people in the center have occurred with Country Directors and Advisors, culminating in establishing the WHH Task Force on People-centered and Locally Led Humanitarian Action.
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