Introduction

The international development and humanitarian sectors are undergoing a profound paradigm shift, increasingly recognizing that sustainable and impactful change is best driven by those closest to the challenges: local communities and local organizations. Localization and Capacity Building of Local Partners are at the heart of this transformation, moving away from externally-driven interventions towards empowering local actors to lead, design, and implement their own development and humanitarian responses. This approach acknowledges the invaluable local knowledge, cultural understanding, and existing community networks that local partners possess, which are often overlooked by traditional aid models. By strengthening the capabilities and increasing the resources channeled directly to local organizations, the sector can ensure that aid is more relevant, efficient, accountable, and ultimately, more sustainable, building resilience from within. Without a deliberate and well-executed strategy for localization and robust capacity building, international efforts risk perpetuating dependency and failing to achieve truly equitable and lasting impact. This essential training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Localization and Capacity Building of Local Partners.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to empower international NGO staff, donor representatives, program managers, and local civil society leaders with the theoretical understanding and hands-on practical tools necessary to implement and champion the localization agenda. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the principles of localization, explore various models of equitable partnership, learn about conducting participatory capacity assessments, and acquire skills in designing tailored capacity-strengthening plans, facilitating direct funding, and fostering mutual accountability. The course will delve into topics such as power dynamics in partnerships, risk sharing, financial localization, organizational development, peer-to-peer learning, and advocating for systemic change. By mastering the principles and practical application of Localization and Capacity Building of Local Partners, participants will be prepared to build genuinely collaborative relationships, accelerate the shift towards locally led development, and contribute meaningfully to a more effective and equitable global aid architecture.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• International NGO (INGO) Staff (Program, Partnerships, Finance, HR)
• Local Civil Society Organization (CSO) Leaders and Staff
• Donor Agency Representatives and Policy Makers
• Humanitarian and Development Program Managers
• Partnership and Alliance Building Professionals
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialists
• Advocacy and Communications Professionals in the aid sector
• Consultants specializing in organizational development for NGOs
• Anyone involved in designing, managing, or overseeing partnerships in the development and humanitarian spheres.

Objectives

• Understand the principles and global commitments of localization in the aid sector.
• Learn to critically analyze power dynamics in international-local partnerships.
• Acquire skills in conducting participatory capacity assessments for local organizations.
• Comprehend techniques for designing and implementing tailored capacity-strengthening plans.
• Explore strategies for facilitating direct and flexible funding to local partners.
• Understand the importance of mutual accountability and risk sharing in partnerships.
• Gain insights into fostering genuine local leadership and decision-making authority.
• Develop a practical understanding of advocating for policy and systemic changes to advance localization.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Localization: Principles and Commitments

• Defining localization in humanitarian and development contexts.
• The historical context and drivers for localization (e.g., Grand Bargain, Charter for Change).
• Key principles: Do No Harm, participation, dignity, accountability to affected populations, local ownership.
• Benefits of locally-led action: effectiveness, relevance, sustainability, resilience.
• Challenges and common misconceptions about localization.

Module 2: Power Dynamics and Equitable Partnerships

• Analyzing inherent power imbalances in international-local relationships.
• Identifying different forms of power: financial, knowledge, positional, narrative.
• Strategies for shifting power and fostering genuine peer-to-peer partnerships.
• Principles of equitable partnership: respect, transparency, shared responsibility.
• Role-playing and discussions on navigating difficult conversations in partnerships.

Module 3: Participatory Capacity Assessment Methodologies

• Moving beyond traditional "capacity building" to "capacity strengthening": recognizing existing strengths.
• Methodologies for joint, participatory organizational capacity assessments (e.g., SWOT analysis, institutional mapping).
• Assessing various dimensions of capacity: technical, financial, governance, human resources, advocacy.
• Identifying core institutional needs versus project-specific capacity gaps.
• Tools for collaborative development of assessment findings and recommendations.

Module 4: Designing Tailored Capacity Strengthening Plans

• Developing a holistic capacity strengthening plan based on assessed needs and priorities.
• Different approaches to capacity strengthening: training, mentoring, coaching, peer-to-peer learning.
• Organizational development strategies for local partners (e.g., governance, strategic planning, HR systems).
• Budgeting for capacity strengthening: ensuring dedicated, flexible resources.
• Monitoring progress and adapting capacity strengthening interventions.

Module 5: Financial Localization and Direct Funding

• Current trends in direct funding to local and national actors.
• Barriers to direct funding for local partners (e.g., risk aversion, compliance requirements).
• Strategies for donors and INGOs to increase direct financial flows.
• Simplified grant agreements, flexible funding, and multi-year funding.
• Enhancing local partners' financial management capacity and accountability.

Module 6: Mutual Accountability and Risk Sharing

• Establishing robust mutual accountability frameworks in partnerships.
• Shifting from one-sided compliance to reciprocal accountability.
• Fair and equitable sharing of risks between international and local partners.
• Understanding and addressing perceived and actual risks in localization.
• Developing clear communication channels and grievance redress mechanisms within partnerships.

Module 7: Fostering Local Leadership and Decision-Making

• Creating an enabling environment for local leadership to flourish.
• Supporting local actors in coordination mechanisms and decision-making bodies.
• Promoting local solutions and innovations.
• Handover strategies and transitioning leadership to local entities.
• Recognizing and valuing diverse forms of local leadership (e.g., traditional, informal).

Module 8: Advocacy for Systemic Localization

• Identifying policy barriers and opportunities for advancing localization.
• Developing advocacy strategies for influencing donors and international bodies.
• Building strong coalitions of local and international actors for collective advocacy.
• Communicating the value proposition of localization to wider audiences.
• Sustaining commitment and momentum for localization in the long term.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.