Fondation Hirondelle has partnered with 44 Swiss NGOs to draft a manifesto advocating for locally led action.
In the 1960s, “experts” and cows were still being sent to Rwanda in order to intensify agriculture. Today, however, being geared towards local needs is part of the self-concept of international cooperation (IC). Yet many stumbling blocks remain. Together, more than 40 Swiss NGOs have therefore drawn up a manifesto. It is a call to joint action in pursuit of equitable partnerships.
In recent years, the discussion around decolonising and localising IC has often been conducted with a narrow focus on financial flows, whereby cooperation is deemed to be localised if more resources are provided directly to local partners. Yet this perspective overlooks key power considerations that are also present in partnerships, such as who determines projects and programmes, who is included in the relevant decision-making processes and whose expertise is listened to. Providing more funds directly to local players is not enough if, in parallel, the strategic priorities are being set in Switzerland.
Local self-determination not only enhances impact, but also strengthens the resilience of communities, especially against the backdrop of growing global challenges. Numerous obstacles are still being encountered in the way of implementing projects and programmes aligned with the needs and challenges of local communities. Rigid donor stipulations can hamper the structuring of flexible and efficient support for local partners. Fundraising and communication strategies, too, may conflict with the ethical principles of a partnership as equals. This manifesto is therefore both an operating guideline for Swiss NGOs and a call to donors to set their parameters in such a way that facilitates locally anchored IC.
The manifesto is at the same time also a response to the growing power of authoritarian forces that are deliberately undermining human rights, restricting the room for manoeuvre of civil society and weakening the foundations of multilateralism. This makes it all the more important for today’s international cooperation to centre on the world’s most vulnerable. This can only be achieved, however, if local players, Swiss NGOs, governments, donors, the private sector and academia see themselves as allies working in concert to uphold human rights.
Many of the signing organizations have already made considerable headway in their localisation endeavours. Further action is still nevertheless needed from all parties. Ultimately, each organisation faces its own challenges – and accordingly develops different approaches. It is now important to pool these experiences and lead the way together.