The localization of aid and increase of local staff capacity has a host of benefits, including greater longevity of project impact, gaining local knowledge, and the growth of skills and opportunities for local populations. A long-discussed topic in development, there are fears that localization efforts are losing steam, with many organizations still employing expats to lead programs or fill short-term consultancy gigs.
The Grand Bargain agreement — set up in 2016 and endorsed by more than 30 major aid donors and organizations — supports the hiring of more local and national responders as part of the commitment toward the localization of emergency aid work. The World Bank and a number of arms of the United Nations are partners in the initiative — but there has been some discontent around the progress.
