For localization to really take root, one thing seems to be clear. Money is essential — but it’s not everything.
That was the main takeaway from Thursday morning’s Devex Pro event, one that looked at how the U.S. Agency for International Development was faring on its lofty localization targets. Last year, the agency channeled 9.6% of its eligible funding toward local organizations — a $50 million dip from the year before.
“The numbers are super problematic,” said Gunjan Veda, the global secretary for the Movement for Community-led Development. “Direct funding to local organizations is super important. But at the same time, who is local, who's getting that funding, how that funding is coming is also hugely important.”