The global localisation agenda gained increasing prominence during the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), as localisation became embodied in the ‘Grand Bargain’ – a reform effort aiming to get more aid into the hands of people in need by increasing efficiency and improving the effectiveness of humanitarian action.
What is Localisation?
Although there is no globally agreed upon definition, the Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) frames localisation as being:
“Based on the recognition of an imbalance of power between international actors and the communities that they serve. Localisation is a restorative process involving recognition, respect, appreciation, and investment in local and national humanitarian capacities, leadership, and local and national resources. The aim is to replace this imbalance with locally driven, locally led, and locally owned responses to better and more sustainably meet the needs of affected populations.”
Localisation shifts power to local and national actors (LNAs) and should not be confused with decentralisation (decentralising power of international actors) or nationalisation (international actors hiring more national staff).
In the nutrition sector, localisation occurs when LNAs deliver high-quality humanitarian programs that lead to improved nutrition outcomes. They must be prepared and equipped to respond effectively in times of emergency and engage confidently in national, regional, and global fields, while their international counterparts actively seek and value their participation and leadership.
What are LNAs?
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) recognizes LNAs as state authorities of the affected aid recipient country involved in relief efforts, whether at the local or national level. It also includes organizations that are headquartered and operate within their own aid recipient country and are not affiliated with an international non-governmental organization (NGO). LNAs are organisations or agencies, not individuals, as reflected in the diagram below.
Why Localisation?
The Nutrition Sector values localisation because:
LNAs are often the first to respond to crises
LNAs have greater access to and trust of the communities
LNAs possess the contextual expertise, understanding of local challenges and solutions, networks, and the political and cultural awareness to deliver results
Clusters / AoRs that are co-coordinated by LNAs produce stronger engagement and representation of a diversity of actors, and ultimately better coordination outcomes
With adequate resources and strong collaborations, LNAs render the nutrition response more effective, efficient, and sustainable
LNAs remain in the communities they serve before, during, and after emergencies
LNAs are in a strong position to link the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus, ensuring strong and sustainable links between preparedness and the nutrition response
Forward Momentum:
The forthcoming strategic period for the nutrition clusters will be guided by this vision. The GNC has supported this process with the GNC Localisation Roadmap for 2024-2025. This roadmap includes activities, resources, and tools designed to strengthen national and subnational programming and coordination capacities for nutrition.
Would you like to gain a better understanding of the connection and opportunities for localisation within the humanitarian system? Here is an eLearning course for you:
Stay tuned for more localisation tools and resources on the GNC Localisation Webpage! (link coming soon)
Key tools and resources
Inter-Agency Toolkit on Localisation in Humanitarian Coordination English/Français/ العربية HNO and HRP Quality Checklist for Localization English/Français |
Download everything about Localisation HERE
Need help? Request support!