Local Partnerships and Localisation
Why Locally-Led Change Matters
Sustained child well‑being is only possible when communities themselves shape the decisions that affect their lives. Locally-led development places the people closest to challenges — children and families, youth groups, faith communities, civil society, and local government — at the centre of setting priorities and driving solutions.
These local groups and organisations are already present and active long before external groups arrive, and they remain long after programmes end. Supporting their leadership is essential for lasting, community‑owned transformation.
Our Longstanding Commitment to Partnership
For 75 years, World Vision has partnered with local organisations, community groups, and faith networks to address humanitarian emergencies as well as the root causes of poverty and injustice affecting children. Guided by our core value “we are partners,” we put equitable relationships, community ownership, and local capacity strengthening at the heart of our work. Our global strategy reinforces this commitment through the imperative to “collaborate and advocate for long‑term impact.”
World Vision works with Local Partners and supports Local Leadership
Achieving locally-led development and humanitarian action requires international organisations to ensure they are playing the roles most appropriate to each context. World Vision works with and through local partners in roles such as connector, convenor, advocate, and capacity‑sharer.
In fragile contexts where local groups may be unable to respond due to conflict or other forms of instability, we work alongside communities, local government, civil society, and faith groups to protect and support children and vulnerable populations and to ensure they have a voice in decision-making.
We uphold localisation principles in humanitarian response through commitments such as the Grand Bargain and by following recognised humanitarian standards, including the Core Humanitarian Standard.
Locally Led and Globally Connected
World Vision’s federated partnership enables us to be both locally rooted and globally connected. Each office is embedded within its own civil society, with deep local networks, relationships, cultural understanding, and knowledge of context. At the same time, our global presence allows us to bring technical expertise, advocacy influence, finance, and shared learning where they add value.
Our Pillars for Locally Led, Resilient Change
Rooted in our vision and values, we aim to be a trusted partner in lasting transformation. Our approach rests on six key pillars that guide how we work with local groups and organisations. Together, they emphasise:
- Complementarity and equitable partnership
- Growing together through capacity sharing
- Improving practices of quality funding
- Ensuring accountability and inclusion
- Strengthening local partners’ visibility and influence in policy
- Greater participation and leadership of local groups and partners in coordination mechanisms.
These pillars reflect our commitment to champion local leadership in every programme and every context, so that children and their communities can thrive through solutions they own and sustain.
