Localisation – An Unfinished Agenda Beyond 2026

Written by Sudhanshu S. Singh

The discussion on localisation since the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) has generated substantial commitment, enthusiasm, tension as well as pessimism. However, there is also a prevailing sentiment that much of the discussion and decision- making has been dominated by international actors with limited and, at times, tokenistic participation from local actors.

This paper analyses the barriers to localisation from the Southern perspective and also attempts to bring in a decolonial perspective to the extent possible.

This is challenging, given the evolution of the humanitarian sector from the Western perspective, where the world has long been viewed in the binary of ‘saviours’ and ‘aid recipients’ – the very antithesis of the spirit of the localisation process. Localisation is not about giving another form to the coloniality of power but rather recognising its deep-rooted presence in the subconscious of actors throughout the sector – a mindset that has persisted not merely for decades but centuries.

This paper aims to analyse the imbalance caused by coloniality and the resulting impediments to the localisation agenda. Since the very term “localisation” requires a decolonial definition, the paper offers that too. Finally, this paper challenges Southern actors to play their own part for their autonomy and resurgence instead of waiting for others to make the sector more equitable.