IASC Task Force 5 on Localisation

Enables the meaningful engagement and leadership of local and national actors (with a special focus on women-led organisations and organisations representing vulnerable populations) in humanitarian response, enhancing capacity exchange and increasing direct funding.

Strengthens the engagement and leadership of local and national actors in humanitarian coordination mechanisms and humanitarian response by:

• Engagement: Operationalizing the IASC guidance on the engagement and leadership of local actors in humanitarian coordination including by: (i) delivering on benchmarks for the engagement of local actors in humanitarian coordination structures (including through setting targets in various operations, where possible), (ii) reporting annually on progress made in the meaningful engagement of local actors in coordination structures (including reporting on progress against agreed targets set at the country-level), and (iii) Compiling good practice on the participation, representation and leadership of local actors in coordination mechanisms (including women-led organisations) and approaches to engage affected populations in humanitarian response. 
• Capacity Sharing: Agreeing on minimum standards/arrangements to strengthen the sharing of capacity and risk management between international actors and local NGOs.
• Resourcing: Supporting efforts to increase and channel more direct funds to local NGOs including by (i) advising on concrete steps to be taken to strengthen the channeling of funds to local NGOs, particularly women-led organizations (including in complement to Grand Bargain efforts and agreed targets); (ii) Reporting annually on progress in getting funds to local NGOs, and (iii) Stepping up advocacy with donors, UN agencies and INGOs on increasing direct funding to local partners.

Note: This group builds on the valuable outputs of the previous IASC Results Group 1 on Operational Response, which completed their work end of March 2022.