Co-authored by Ms. Sumera Javeed from Hands Welfare Foundation and Zartasha Niazi from IDEA
Also posted on ReliefWeb here.
In an increasingly volatile world where humanitarian crises are becoming more complex and frequent, the call for localizing aid is no longer a distant ideal rather it is an urgent necessity. The Pakistan Localization Lab, part of the NEAR Network’s global initiative, stands at the forefront of this shift, championing local leadership and transforming the humanitarian and development aid system from the ground up.
Pakistan is a country that frequently faces humanitarian emergencies floods, earthquakes, displacement, and economic shocks. In such contexts, local organizations are always the first responders, navigating complex terrains with agility and insight.
Their connection to the on-the-ground realities gives them a unique advantage they understand the needs, language, and aspirations of the people, and are often the first to respond in times of crisis. Yet, despite their critical role, they often remain underfunded, undervalued, and structurally marginalized in the global aid architecture.
To better position the local organizations and to raise their voice at all levels, there are several initiatives which are launched globally and locally to better understand the issues and concerns of local organizations so they can bring drastic change at the grassroots level with appropriate resources and capabilities.
Those initiatives included several platforms and networks which are advocating the effective work of local organizations and highlighting various challenges and issues that these organizations are facing. Among these initiatives, NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response), which is a huge network of local and national organizations from the Global South, initiated the localization labs. They were created to better uplift the local organizations where they can come up with innovative ventures to strengthen local actions at different levels.
“NEAR’s (Pakistan) Localization Lab is a transformative platform that brings local civil society actors to the forefront of humanitarian and development decision-making,” shared by Khadim Dahot by SDTS, a member of a local organization from Sindh-Pakistan
Pakistan Localization Lab members are active in 177 districts across Pakistan. With a combined financial footprint of nearly PKR 17.95 billion, these organizations have reached over 21 million people through their programs. But their work goes beyond numbers. The changes they advocate for are deeply cultural, incremental, and transformational. They advocate for incremental change at all levels supporting local solutions to reduce donor dependency promoting a cultural shift towards mutual respect and equitable partnerships. Ultimately, they advocate for a transformational change placing local actors at the center and turning global commitments into real, on-the-ground action.
Pakistan Localization Lab is redefining humanitarian action by fully endorsing the global humanitarian reset, where local actors play an independent and central role in co-creating solutions and innovations that directly address the needs and aspirations of communities at all levels.
The Lab firmly believes that in any humanitarian response, local communities must be at the center of decision-making and implementation. Their knowledge, priorities, and participation are critical for meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Pakistan Localization Lab is committed to shifting away from the traditional aid model by advocating for funding mechanisms that prioritize local solutions, promote mutual understanding, and respect community-led approaches. The Lab emphasizes the need for humanitarian assistance to be effective, sustainable, and accountable to the people it is intended to serve.
Building Local Power, Not Just Capacity
A key distinction in the Localization Lab’s approach is its emphasis on shifting power, not just building capacity. While many international actors have long provided “capacity-building” to local partners, these efforts have often fallen short of genuine empowerment. The Lab challenges this dynamic by promoting equitable partnerships, encouraging mutual learning, and dismantling extractive systems of aid delivery.
A Vision for the Future
We envision a future where the Pakistan Localization Lab stands as a catalyst for transformative, locally led humanitarian and development action. While the road ahead may be long and challenging, we see every hurdle as a stepping stone, an opportunity to learn, adapt, and strengthen our collective commitment. With resilience at our core, we aim to build a robust ecosystem of empowered local actors, equipped to lead with confidence and impact. Through inclusive collaboration, innovative practices, and sustained capacity strengthening, the Lab aspires to shape a future where local leadership is not just supported but fully realized and central to lasting change in Pakistan.
The Lab is not an end, it is a beginning, as it is providing a future where aid is not only local in delivery but in design, leadership, and accountability. Pakistan Localization Lab is not only advocating for change but living it. It is setting a precedent: local actors – when supported and trusted – can lead effective, timely, and people-centered responses. The localization lab is not only addressing today’s challenges but laying the foundation for a more equitable and resilient humanitarian future. It’s a long and challenging journey ahead, and along the way, we anticipate encountering several hurdles in achieving our ultimate goal. However, each obstacle also presents an opportunity for growth, learning, and strengthening our collective resolve. The Pakistan Localization Lab is committed to navigating these challenges with resilience and determination, as it strives to empower itself and local actors to take ownership of humanitarian and development efforts. Through collaboration, innovation, and capacity strengthening, the Lab aims to become a driving force for sustainable, locally led change in Pakistan.
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