THE VALUE OF A LOCALLY LED NETWORK AND THE CHALLENGES OF BUILDING ONE

In 2020, five groups of humanitarian actors in five locations partnered on a journey with Start Network. This journey was to create locally led networks of humanitarian changemakers to present a powerful alternative to the current international humanitarian system. Together, they would form a collective of hubs that would move Start Network to becoming a more locally led and distributed network, with power and decision making in the hands of organisations closest to crises. These five hubs in DRC, Guatemala, India, Pacific, and Pakistan have been founded by collectives of organisations in those locations and together all hubs are working with each other and Start Network to learn the best way to build this decentralised network of networks. Over the last year, Start Network spoke to a range of stakeholders to understand the views on the potential value and challenges of hubs. The findings provided insight into where our stakeholders see value in a locally led network of networks model, as well as the challenges they expect hubs will face in achieving this vision.

Highlights

We spoke to leaders of the five hubs on the value they see in forming hubs gathering insights into the potential for co-creating a new humanitarian system and operationalising locally led action and what to look out for in doing this.

We see that Start Network gives us a global overview which is very useful at country level. And what is really important is the ease of getting in touch with other organisations in other parts of the world. Also, it's very much from a strategic level, so in terms of international relationships, to make it easier to reach out and connect with people in different countries. Also, in terms of the operational methodology that Start Network brings to us as well, because we can benefit from the lessons learned from experiences that Start Network has gathered together from different organisations all over the world... Sandra Judith Miquel Martinez, ASECSA, Guatemala hub

We spoke to a range of stakeholders to gather perceptions on the potential value and challenges for hubs going forward and these are reflected on in light of the progress made by hubs in the interim period.

It will level the playing field between local organisations and the bigger internationally affiliated organisations. Resources will be more equitably distributed. Currently, there is no denying that organisations like ours have better access to opportunities. Opportunities not just for funding, but for learning & development, knowledge building, exposure to traveling, new ideas, meeting new people. The potential is not merely financial but concerns all these other things too. Meghna Goyal, Save the Children, INGO member, India

The report is provided in English, Spanish and French.