Equitable partnerships for locally led development

NCA believes that if we work in equitable partnerships with civil society actors and provide resources to facilitate locally led action, rights holders, communities, networks, and organisations will be empowered to implement collective action and make strategic choices to save lives, build resilience, and seek justice so that lasting social change can take place in their countries.

There is a need to address imbalances and inequalities within development cooperation and humanitarian aid, by enabling a more effective, locally led response. In the face of increasingly complex global crises, a more coherent approach that combines humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and advocacy initiatives is needed. This requires us to focus on local solutions and leadership. We believe that local communities and civil society actors affected by crises and vulnerability have the right to be in the lead and are better placed to legitimately address their own challenges. Yet, local actors often lack decision-making power and funding to set the direction for a locally led development. For NCA, working in mutual and equitable partnerships with local faith- and value-based organisations and networks is a key part of our strategy to strengthen civil society actors and civic space. As a signatory to the Charter for Change, NCA is committed to working for locally led humanitarian response and long-term development. To this end, we support, fund, encourage and accompany our local partners to play an increasingly prominent role in creating lasting change.

We uphold our commitment to inclusivity by promoting the rights and participation of marginalized groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI+, and indigenous and religious minorities. We partner with faith-based and civil society actors to challenge harmful norms and practices, and to create safe spaces for dialogue and advocacy. By empowering organisations led by rights-holders themselves, and strengthening their capacity, we ensure that their perspectives are at the core of decision-making processes.

Capacity Strengthening

We aim to strengthen the capacity of both NCA and our partner organisations by:

• Establishing national partner platforms that foster shared leadership, dialogue and exchange of expertise and best practice.
• Supporting partners to meet the Core Humanitarian Standard and other relevant policies and accountability frameworks.
• Helping partners strengthen their ability to mobilize resources effectively and ensure their organisational development.

To avoid working in isolation, and to complement the capacities of our partners, NCA facilitates cooperation with expert organisations, research institutions, government agencies, and private sector partners. This enables us to bring in additional resources, expertise, innovation, technology, local knowledge, access to services, and market linkages to enhance and leverage the work of our partner organisations.

Strategic networks and alliances

We support our faith- and value-based partners in building and expanding their strategic networks and alliances. We actively explore new partnership models to include social movements and facilitate collaboration and joint advocacy efforts between civil society partners. Through active participation in ACT forums and other coordination platforms we enhance ecumenical and interfaith cooperation nationally and regionally. Whenever possible, we involve civil society partners and relevant networks when developing regional and global advocacy positions.