In April 2017, the Start Network published a seminal piece of research on the seven dimensions of localisation. This piece of work has influenced many in the sector as they develop their own understanding of localisation and its future direction. Most recently has been some work by the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG). Here, Josie Flint from HAG speaks about the work they have been doing and the influence that the Start Network has had on this:
“Over the past two years, the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO) and Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) have been in partnership to conduct a multi-year project exploring localisation of humanitarian action in the Pacific. This work forms part of HAG's three-year research initiative called Humanitarian Horizons. It explores the action and impact of localised approaches to humanitarian action with a focus on four case study countries in the Pacific.
The project aims to generate tools and approaches to measure localisation that can be adapted and used to inform humanitarian programming, in addition to providing an evidence base for future programming.
The approach for this research, co-designed with PIANGO, consists of a baseline and endline approach for localisation at the country level, and drew on the Start Network’s Seven Dimensions of Localisation.
PIANGO and their umbrella body members initially led a consultation process in 2018 with key national and international humanitarian actors in three countries to explore Pacific priorities for measuring change i.e., what does success look like?’
The Tracking Progress on Localisation: A Pacific Perspective drew on the thinking, approaches and activities from the Seven Dimensions work, in particular using the holistic approach to localisation.
We drew on this thinking, incorporating Pacific priorities and contextual factors to produce a Measuring Localisation Framework. This Framework articulates how progress on localisation can be measured at a country level, and provided the methodology for PIANGO, their umbrella body members and HAG to conduct four localisation baselines in Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. The work has been launched across the region by PIANGO and their members, and shared in national, regional and global forums.
The partnership has not only sought to elevate locally-led approaches to conducting research on localisation, through PIANGO and their National Liaison Units leading research in four countries but also focuses on implementing localisation principles within the partnership itself.
Working together also increases reach and influence across the region. The next step in our research partnership is measuring the impact of our research i.e., how has the baseline evidence-informed policy, practice and programming?”