There is no doubt that Localization has become a key strategic priority for many international cooperation actors since 2016, following the Grand Bargain which is a unique agreement between some of the largest donors and humanitarian organisations who have committed to get more means into the hands of people in need and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the humanitarian action.   

However, it is 2022 and localization is still relatively immature and nearly non-existent in the MENA region and other parts of the world, where power is centralized in the hands of international actors, and it is a discussion of INGOs existence rather than the benefit of local communities, where having less funds, fewer staff members, smaller offices, and less direct implementation is a major concern among those international organizations, forgetting that their main long term goal would be not to continue to exist and leaving the work to local organizations after having supported their development.  

Gender Work in MENA

Ideally, gender is mainstreamed across all kinds of programs like Climate Change, Financial Inclusion, Civic Space, etc., and is an essential pillar of Humanitarian, Development, and Peacebuilding efforts. Nevertheless, non-localized gender work pre assumes the needs of local communities from a top-down approach while preaching the principles of the Human rights-based approach, including participation and non-discrimination.

Challenges of current non-localized Gender Work

Most long term programs on Gender are usually written and approved without the proper consultation with local communities, including national civil society organizations and rights holders (beneficiaries), with minimal to nonexistent flexibility to adapt to contextual changes and factors. This usually results in irrelevant interventions that do not contribute to the progress of gender work in the country but rather create a wider gap between local communities and development actors. 

Localizing gender work in MENA would mean having evidence-based programs that are relevant and have a clear contribution to the community's actual needs while wisely using the resources allocated and being accountable to both the source of the funds and the communities targeted. It is a fact that more research has been done on the ground since 2016; nonetheless, there is a gap in using this available research in the design of Gender Programs.

How can this be put into action?

Thought Partnerships

A step towards localization is establishing partnerships, where local actors have the ownership and flexibility to co-create programs based on their own strategies and mandates rather than being donor-driven.

International actors are privileged to have both the financial and technical resources, whereas local actors are the experts and key factors to the success of programs in their contexts. Thought Partnerships are an investment in sustainability and long term Gender Work that leaves no one behind when the fund is over.

Donor Coordination

Donor coordination and harmonization of requirements allow local actors and activists to focus their efforts on the actual programming and implementation rather than trying to meet the requirements of their donors. It is a step toward Aid Effectiveness and a great strategy for less competition and more collaboration in the sector.

Core Funding 

Non earmarked funding AKA Core Funding that contributes to strategies of partner organizations rather than activities and projects is a proven successful strategy that enables local actors to leverage their work, utilize their resources, and meet the community's needs.

Representation

Representation of local actors within the international cooperation community where decisions are being made is a cornerstone for localizing gender—nothing about us without us.

Closing

In summary, we cannot undermine the long history of work done by international organizations in responding to humanitarian crises and establishing development and peace programs. But we need to be clear that national actors are not solely service providers, they are key partners to INGOs and Donor agencies that shall be part of decision making, design of programs, and then implementation. We do not want to recycle the challenges but rather have actual solutions that contribute to societal change. Localization is an opportunity for everyone to work together, national and international, to utilize the resources in the best way possible and achieve real impact.

• Salam Shebli

About the Author:

Salam Shebli is a Feminist Program Management Professional with 10 years of experience in International Cooperation and Human Rights with a special focus on civic space and digital rights in the MENA region. Salam holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Systems Engineering, a Diploma in Leadership and Project Management, and is a certified Project and Financial Management professional by APMG International. Currently working as a Regional Program Manager for the MENA region with Viamo; an ICT4D global social enterprise, improving lives via mobile.

Salam.shebli@viamo.io