ELEVATING LOCAL VOICES

THROUGH LOCALISATION AND STRATEGIC SYNERGY

Overview

Save the Children Yemen is resolute in advancing our localisation efforts under the banner of 'Local to Global for Impact', demonstrating our unwavering commitment towards empowering local and national actors, including children, to steer the sustainable realisation of children’s rights.

Save the Children Yemen launched its Localisation Strategy in September 2023 in close collaboration with civil society organisations, international partners and donors, paving the way to a pragmatic shift towards local empowerment for global impact, especially for children most affected by inequality and discrimination.

The Imperative for Localisation in Yemen

Far too often, international aid bypasses local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that understand the context, as well as affected populations and their needs. With over $19 billion in international aid to Yemen since 2015, a dismal percentage reaches local CSOs. 

Redefining Yemen's Civil Society Landscape

Yemen's CSOs are not just aid recipients but partners and trailblazers, especially during the crisis. Although facing a myriad of challenges, the increasing emergence of Yemeni-led policy innovations and creative interventions highlights the untapped potential of local CSOs. They can, and should, be game-changers in formulating and implementing an effective humanitarian response.

Our Pathway to Localisation

• Inclusive Planning and Partnership: Save the Children Yemen’s Partnership Unit is actively collaborating with Save the Children International, members and donors, to involve local Yemeni communities and multiple stakeholders in our programming. We aim to enrich the quality and impact of humanitarian responses through this extensive collaboration.
• Elevating Capacity and Advocacy: We are committed to overcoming previous shortcomings in local engagement. We plan to enhance local funding from 3% to 8% and provide targeted capacity-building for our local partners.
• Responsive, Community-Centric Approach: Our strategy is committed to addressing key needs, informed by a data-driven, evidence-based approach with a central focus on the well-being of children. In alignment with our organisational mandate and universally recognised Humanitarian Principles, we prioritise the provision of timely, appropriate, and safe assistance. Additionally, we employ a demand-driven methodology to ensure the active participation of local communities in decision-making and programme design.
• Building Trust Through Transparency: We are pioneering the use of "Zero Agreements" as a lower-risk method to foster initial relationships with local entities, setting the stage for future partnerships that go beyond the partnership agreements with the local partners.

Our Thematic Approach to Responsibilities

In each focus area—whether education, food security, or public health—we strive to engineer a balance of responsibilities between our organisation and our local partners. Through effective planning, collaboration, and open communication, we identify distinct roles that leverage each party's strengths, addressing capacity gaps, and responding to dire needs. Our expertise lies in providing technical support and financial oversight, while local entities bring invaluable community engagement and specialisation in service delivery. This collaborative synergy allows us to maintain international standards while benefiting from local knowledge. The approach is dual-faceted: it not only ensures a quality and effective humanitarian response but also fosters the strengthening of local capacities in both programme implementation and capacity building.

Accountability & Community Engagement

We strive to enhance our Community Feedback Mechanisms through the formation of a Working Group and an internship programme. These initiatives aim to fortify our advocacy in children, youth, and women's rights across various areas such as Coordination, Visibility, and Public Policy Influence.

Working with Local Authorities & Governance

When engaging with fragmented local authorities, we are not merely service providers but advocates, who strive to clarify the role of civil society in the larger humanitarian landscape. We aim to encourage and empower local organisations to calibrate their programmes according to the unique needs and attitudes of varied local communities.