HARARE, Oct 16 (IPS) – Localization has become a buzzword in international development, with the aim of bringing power and resources closer to the communities directly affected by crises.
In Zimbabwe, with our long history of dependence on external donors, localization offers an opportunity to rethink the way development and humanitarian aid is delivered.
This is especially important as the country has suffered from successive droughts, which have contributed to food insecurity, gender inequality and economic instability.
Frameworks such as the Big bargain And Charter for change have played a crucial role in shaping the narrative on localization globally and provide guidance on how this can be done effectively in Zimbabwe, especially given that a majority of donors operating in the country have signed up to various localization frameworks, including the Grand Bargain, Charter for Change among others.
What is localization?
Localization refers to the process of empowerment of local actors– NGOs, community organizations and local governments – to take the lead in humanitarian and development assistance.
The idea is to shift control from international actors to local actors, making aid more sustainable, context-specific and effective.
This concept is closely aligned with the aspirations of many local actors in Zimbabwe, who have long argued that they are best positioned to understand and respond to local challenges due to their proximity to marginalized and crisis-prone communities.
For example, rural communities in Zimbabwe have unique dynamics that are rooted in historical, social and environmental contexts. Localization takes care of that local knowledge is not on the sidelines, but is central to planning and implementation.
An understanding of the true meaning of the localization discourse, its ambitions and the potential benefits for the sector is crucial to counter any misconceptions and false approaches intended to undermine the main goal of localization, which is a real shift of power and influence towards local actors.
The big bargain
Launched in 2016 at the World Humanitarian Summit, the Grand Bargain is an agreement between some of the world’s largest donors and humanitarian organizations aimed at transforming the humanitarian sector.
One of the key commitments is to provide 25% of international humanitarian financing directly to local and national aid workers by 2020.only about 0.2% of global philanthropy, estimated at as much as $4 billion, is received directly by African nonprofits.”
In Zimbabwe, this effort has met with mixed success. While funding still flows mainly through international NGOs, there has been an increase in partnerships aimed at strengthening the capacity of local actors to ensure the sustainability of their work and institutions.
Several international organizations operating in the country, including Trócaire, now have active localization strategies aimed at ensuring effective capacity-building initiatives, some flexible financing models, equitable partnership processes and other ways to strengthen the voice and influence of local partners.
However, challenges remain. One of the obstacles to achieving true localization in Zimbabwe is the regulatory environment. Local NGOs often face bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, fraud and limited access to larger funding flows.
Despite these challenges, some partners have made significant progress in securing direct funding for Zimbabwean organizations, reflecting the spirit of the Grand Bargain. Lessons from these successes need to be documented and shared across the board to enable collaborative and shared learning between INGOs and local and national NGOs in Zimbabwe.
Charter for change
The Charter for change (C4C), signed by several international organizations and endorsed by local NGOs, aims to implement specific changes that further promote localization. It emphasizes the importance of capacity building, equitable partnerships and shifting power dynamics to local actors.
One of the crucial elements of the Charter for Change is the commitment of international actors to work in equal partnerships with local organizations, going beyond the donor-recipient relationship.
This is particularly relevant in Zimbabwe, where local organizations often express frustration over unequal partnerships, which leave them with limited decision-making power.
The Charter for Change also calls for the recognition of the contributions of local actors, ensuring that they are not just subcontractors of international organizations, but also leaders.
Although several organizations in Zimbabwe have signed the Charter for Change, there is currently no working group on localization, a platform that could be used to advance the localization agenda, especially when it comes to monitoring their progress in meeting the obligations entered into in the context of various localization activities. frameworks for accountability and progress registration.
Zimbabwe’s localization journey
Key achievements include capacity building where international organizations such as Trócaire have prioritized the development of local partners by improving skills in project management, financial management and technical areas such as climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
In this way, local actors are prepared to lead interventions for long-term sustainability, especially in the areas of food production and women’s empowerment.
Some initiatives, especially those focused on rural development, have successfully transitioned from international to local leadership.
For example, community organizations in regions such as Matabeleland and Manicaland have taken the lead in water management and sustainable agricultural practices.
Although the Grand Bargain’s 25% funding target is still not being met, there are promising trends. For example the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund has increased local access to funds for disaster risk reduction and food security projects, marking a significant victory for the localization agenda.
In addition, agencies such as Trocaire have introduced indirect cost recovery policies, which allow a fixed share of budgets to be released indefinitely, allowing local actors to be flexible in the use of these funds.
Localization challenges:
- Regulatory environment: Zimbabwe’s complex and restrictive legal framework surrounding civil society organizations may hinder progress towards localization. INGOs, local organizations and NGOs must navigate a complicated web of bureaucracy, which often delays project implementation and limits access to direct financing.
- Funding flows: A significant portion of funding for Zimbabwean programs continues to channel through international actors, limiting the extent to which local organizations can fully control resources. Although donor preferences allow international actors to maintain their fiscal responsibility, this undermines the Grand Barga’s purpose of direct local financing.
- Capacity Gaps: Despite efforts to build local capacity, some local actors still struggle with technical capacity, especially in monitoring and evaluation, reporting and financial management. This can limit their ability to secure direct financing or maintain donor relationships, perpetuating dependence on international intermediaries.
- Misconceptions about what real localization entails: Different donor organizations have formulated their own differing philosophies on localization, some of which are seen as running parallel to the original goal of localization, which is a real shift of power to local actors.
Way forward for localization in Zimbabwe
Localization in Zimbabwe holds great promise, especially for rural development or humanitarian interventions.
While there have been successes in frameworks such as the Grand Bargain and the Charter for Change, more needs to be done to effectively localize aid and development.
By strengthening local actors, reducing dependence on international intermediaries and addressing the barriers faced by local organizations, Zimbabwe’s humanitarian and development sector can become more sustainable, effective and responsive to the needs of its people.
Tatenda Rasawu is an experienced organizational development expert who works with non-profit organizations in Zimbabwe and across the region, helping them strengthen their systems for sustainable impact. Driven by a deep passion for localization, he actively leads platforms and initiatives that advocate a real shift to local actors and ensure they have the capacity and authority to drive lasting change.
Tafadzwa Munyaka is a nonprofit/social change professional with cross-cutting expertise in fundraising, business development, grants and compliance management, program management, and children’s rights advocacy. He is committed to contributing to the African story of philanthropy and giving, driving impactful change across the continent.
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
