Exciting news! USAID just launched a groundbreaking policy that not only shifts funding but also the power to locally led humanitarian organizations.
🎉 This is a big step toward ensuring that the people who know their communities best are the ones driving the changes they need.
Local leaders are the first responders in crises, whether it’s distributing food and water in Sudan through emergency response rooms or evacuating families in Ukraine. They are at the heart of their communities, offering unique knowledge and lasting connections. With USAID’s new Locally Led Humanitarian Assistance Policy, USAID is now doubling down on its commitment to support these incredible local actors.
Missed the live event? No worries, you can watch a recording here:
What's Different About This Policy?
USAID’s new approach isn’t just about cutting checks; it’s about shifting decision-making power to the local level. USAID is looking at ways to move beyond the traditional international aid framework and put local leaders in the driver’s seat. This policy aims to create more equitable partnerships with local organizations—both through direct funding and by giving them a voice in humanitarian decision-making structures like UN-led coordination bodies. This is a point I really love!, those in the humanitarian sector know how sometimes you go to cluster meetings full of non-local actors, deciding for local actors – #nothingaboutuswithoutus.
What’s fascinating is how this policy shifts the game for USAID. While it’s easy to think of it as a quick win, bringing new partners on board takes time, resources, and a lot of patience. Especially in humanitarian settings, where speed is critical, it can be challenging to support local organizations in navigating the often-complex process of partnering with USAID. But here’s the thing—it’s worth it. Local organizations bring contextual expertise that international actors simply can’t match. And this is what will drive long-term, sustainable recovery after crises.
Humanitarian vs. Development Work: How Are They Different?
Humanitarian work is fast-paced and reactive, often operating in volatile, life-threatening situations. The goal is immediate relief—food, water, shelter, clothing (read sanitary) —versus the long-term capacity building we see in development programs. This means this policy requires a lot of planning ahead to get partners on board, it's almost impossible to do that at the onset of a crisis, the policy describes mapping the humanitarian partner landscape.
Partner Mapping and What’s Next
An exciting part of this policy rollout is USAID’s planned partner mapping. If you are working as a local actor, now is the time to get prepared. We want to make sure local organizations are aware of these shifts and ready to engage.
🌍 Please share this widely to help spread the word, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa—let’s get the local organizations in the DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and other countries ready to be a part of the locally led humanitarian efforts.
I personally can’t wait to see how different the next round of BHA applications will be!
The Locally Led Humanitarian Assistance Policy sets out five key goals:
Increase funding and accessibility for local humanitarian organizations by simplifying award processes and fostering equitable partnerships with international actors.
Strengthen USAID's ability to build humanitarian partnerships by providing staff with the training and resources needed to champion locally led initiatives.
Enhance capacity strengthening and mutual learning by investing in initiatives that prioritize local knowledge and reduce existing power imbalances.
Advocate for local leadership in all stages of humanitarian assistance, pushing for local partners to take on decision-making roles.
Leverage USAID’s humanitarian diplomacy to reshape the international system, creating more opportunities for authentic local participation.
How Can Local Organizations Prepare?
For local organizations, now is the time to start gearing up. Here are a few ways to prepare to take advantage of USAID’s Locally Led Humanitarian Assistance Policy:
Strengthen your organizational capacity: Get your financial systems, governance, and reporting structures in order.
Build networks: Start connecting with larger international NGOs and humanitarian clusters.
Stay informed: Keep an eye on USAID’s announcements and attend relevant workshops and training sessions.
Finally, a quick note—while USAID policies like this one are made to guide internal staff, they are a great window into USAID’s future direction and plans for external partners. Understanding these policies gives organizations like yours a significant advantage when applying for USAID funding or partnerships.
It’s an exciting time to be involved in humanitarian work, and I’m thrilled to see what local partners will achieve under this new framework.
#USAID #LocallyLed #HumanitarianAssistance #LocalLeadership #SubSaharanAfrica #DRC #Sudan #SouthSudan #Somalia #BHA #CapacityBuilding #Development #Resilience #Localization
Comments