Our aim is to ensure that Local Non-Governmental Organisations (LNGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) secure their rightful place as key actors in crisis response. Through equitable partnerships and collaborations with LNGOs, free capacity building and advice clinics, and localisation consultancy services to INGOs looking to transform their own localisation agenda, we aim to address system inequalities in the humanitarian system.
Our organisation was founded by a group of professional humanitarian workers who each hold a strong belief in the need for systemic change in aid work, a change that puts local communities and their civil society first. With diverse expertise across organisational development, programme design, management and support, alongside inclusive leadership, the Start Local team share a breadth of knowledge and international experience.
At Start Local, we build partnerships that prioritise collaboration, mutual respect, and shared goals. Through our efforts, we envision a world where LNGOs to respond to crises in their own countries and lead their own sustainable development with the recognition and resources they deserve. Collectively, we bring years of experience working in a variety of contexts, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Greece, Iraq, Namibia, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, UK, and Ukraine.
A future where every Local NGO has the tools they need to thrive on their own terms. By supporting locally led solutions, we create better outcomes for empowering communities to build resilience and shape their own futures.
Start Local was born out of our shared experiences in the humanitarian sector, where we witnessed first-hand the challenges and inequities faced by local organisations.
As professionals working within international NGOs (INGOs), our story is rooted in a deep belief that communities know best, and it’s time the world listened. Collectively we spent years advocating for localisation—shifting power and resources to local actors who are closest to the communities they serve. Despite our efforts, progress was often hindered by systemic barriers, entrenched power dynamics, and often even basic things like overburdened staff. We knew there had to be a better way.
The turning point came in 2024 during the bombardment of Gaza. As local organisations on the ground faced unimaginable challenges—operating under bombardment, with limited resources and overwhelming needs—they were still expected to navigate complex donor requirements and write lengthy proposals. This stark reality was a wake-up call for us. We realised that advocating for localisation from within the system wasn’t enough. It was time to put our money where our mouth was and take bold action to support local actors in a tangible, impactful way.
Start Local: Bridging the Gap in the Aid Industry
Localisation ensures humanitarian aid is culturally appropriate and effective by involving local communities and leaders. Local actors understand community dynamics, enabling faster, more relevant responses. Without it, aid risks being misdirected, undermining trust and long-term recovery. However, success requires greater funding directly to local organisations, as currently only a small fraction of aid reaches them.
In 2016 the Grand Bargain committed donors to shift more power and resources to local responders, yet progress remains slow. Empowering local actors strengthens long-term resilience, as they remain after crises end. But barriers like donor inflexibility, capacity gaps, and bureaucratic hurdles still limit their role. More investment in local leadership and partnerships is essential.
True localisation also demands deeper accountability to affected communities, not just donors. While involving local communities in decision-making improves relevance, too often their input is tokenistic. Stronger funding, trust, and equitable partnerships are needed to make localisation more than just rhetoric—it must become standard practice in humanitarian action.
Take a look at ‘Our Approach’ to see how Start Local is walking the walk on localisation.
The Grand Bargain is a global agreement aimed at making humanitarian aid more efficient and effective, with a strong focus on increasing direct funding and decision-making power for local and national actors.
While it has set important commitments, progress has been slow, and many local NGOs still face significant barriers to accessing funding and leading responses.
Start Local cannot force donors or international agencies to change their funding structures (and we recognise that some of the ‘red tape’ is actually necessary), but we can help level the playing field for local NGOs. We support them in strengthening their financial management, compliance, and reporting systems—making it easier for them to meet donor requirements and directly access funding when opportunities arise. By helping local organisations build the necessary capacities and visibility, we ensure they are not just eligible for funding but are recognised as credible, capable, and equal partners in humanitarian response.
Beyond technical support, Start Local strengthens and amplifies local advocacy efforts, rather than leading advocacy ourselves. We support existing networks, coalitions, and local actors who are already pushing for more equitable partnerships and fairer funding mechanisms. By connecting them with donors, INGOs, and coordination platforms, we help ensure their voices are heard in key decision-making spaces. While we can’t change the system overnight, we can ensure that when funding does shift, local actors are ready to receive it—creating a stronger, fairer, and more locally led humanitarian system.
Join our clinics
We run focused clinics on specific topics, providing practical guidance that local NGOs can apply immediately.