From localisation commitments to locally led practice

ILLA is a practice-oriented institute supporting organisations, networks and local actors to strengthen locally led humanitarian, development and peace action.

What we do
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Why ILLA

Localisation is no longer only a policy commitment. It is a practical challenge for organisations, donors and partnerships. ILLA works with organisations, networks and local actors to translate localisation into practical changes in how power, resources, decisions, risks and knowledge are shared.

What we do

Advisory support

Supporting organisations to review and strengthen localisation strategies, systems and partnership models.

Learning and facilitation

Designing workshops, reflection processes and peer learning spaces.

Partnership practice

Supporting more equitable collaboration, decision-making and accountability between international, national and local actors.

Applied research and resources

Producing applied analysis, practical tools and case-based learning resources.

Explore our work

Key themes

ILLA focuses on the practical challenges that shape whether locally led action becomes reality in programmes, partnerships and institutions.

Local leadership

Who defines priorities, leads responses and influences decisions?

Risk-sharing

How security, financial, reputational and operational risks are distributed — and too often transferred — across partnerships.

Equitable partnerships

How power, trust, resources and accountability are shared between international, national and local actors.

Accountability

Moving beyond upward reporting to donors towards accountability to communities, partners and local constituencies.

Funding barriers

Access to flexible funding, indirect costs, compliance demands and short project cycles.

Local knowledge

Recognising local analysis, experience and evidence as central to decisions, learning and strategy.

Voices from local and national actors

ILLA creates space for practitioners from local and national organisations to share their experiences, challenges and lessons in advancing locally led action. These stories make visible the practical realities behind localisation commitments — from partnership negotiations and funding barriers to risk-sharing, accountability and leadership.

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