Localisation

Aligned with the localisation Grand Bargain commitments and informed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidance as well as the Principles of Partnership, FSC partners and CLAs have placed localization at the core of the 2023-2025 strategic plan. 

The FSC recognizes the core role local and national humanitarian Actors (L/NAs) play in humanitarian responses. L/NAs, NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), affected communities and other networks, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, are in a unique position to fight hunger, strengthen resilience, sustain livelihoods, and improve food security conditions of vulnerable populations In addition, gFSC and CLAs support the Localization approach efforts as part of the current Humanitarian reset process.

The Global Cluster Coordination Group’s (GCCG) Localisation Task Team has launched a Practical Guide on Advancing Local Leadership in Humanitarian Coordination, drawing from real experiences across diverse contexts. As conversations around the Humanitarian Reset place renewed emphasis on local leadership, this guide offers timely, concrete entry points to enhance local leadership at both global and country levels, including:

• Co-leadership and co-coordination of clusters by local actors
• Inclusion of local organisations in Strategic Advisory Groups
• Local leadership in the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC)

The GCCG supports country-level cluster and inter-cluster coordination to enhance the quality of humanitarian response. To advance locally led action, GCCG members established a Localisation Working Group (LWG), which develops and disseminates practical tools and guidance for clusters. This LWG is co-led by the Global Education Cluster (GEC) and the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CPAoR).

Strengthening local leadership is not only a principle but also a proven strategy for improving humanitarian outcomes. With the localisation commitments of the 2025 Humanitarian Reset and the ongoing shift towards cluster transition and deactivation, the guide offers a practical resource for cluster coordination teams, international actors, and local and national actors (LNAs), providing adaptable approaches to embed and expand LNA leadership across coordination structures.

Access the full guide in all four languages—Arabic, English, French, and Spanish—by clicking here.