Pathway to Localisation Workshop – Burkina Faso, 23-25 September 2025
The Pathway to Localisation Workshop was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 23–25 September 2025, bringing together 25 local NGOs from Burkina Faso, three focal points from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and one representative from Mali. Organised by NEAR in collaboration with Pledge for Change (P4C) and IRC Burkina Faso, the workshop aimed to deepen collective understanding of localisation, strengthen collaboration among civil society actors, and identify practical actions to accelerate locally led change across the Sahel.
Day 1: Laying Down the Foundation
The opening day set the tone with a focus on grounding participants in the core principles and history of localisation. Through icebreakers, group reflections, and discussions on “Localisation Hopes and Challenges,” participants connected personally to the theme and built a sense of shared purpose.
Sessions covered the evolution of aid in Africa, unpacking colonial legacies and systemic dependencies that continue to shape power dynamics in the humanitarian and development system. NEAR introduced its mission, strategy, and Localisation Performance Measurement Framework (LPMF), a tool that guided discussions on partnership quality, funding equity, and participation. The day concluded with a data-driven session reviewing pre-workshop survey insights, where participants validated key barriers and opportunities for advancing localisation in Burkina Faso.
Day 2: Movement Building and Action Planning
The second day moved from reflection to collective action. Through storytelling and collaborative exercises, participants explored how local movements can transform barriers into opportunities. Power mapping and stakeholder analyses helped identify leverage points for shifting influence toward local actors.
In breakout groups, participants developed action plans and accountability frameworks that outlined practical steps and ownership structures to drive localisation at both national and regional levels. The energy in the room was tangible as participants emphasised the need for sustained collaboration, equitable partnerships, and stronger local leadership. The day ended with participants sharing their personal and institutional commitments to advancing localisation beyond the workshop.
Day 3: Multi-Sector Dialogue
The final day convened a broader dialogue between local organisations, donors, and Pledge for Change signatories based in Burkina Faso. The session provided a space for open exchange, honest reflection, and collective sense-making around the realities of localisation in practice.
Through a series of rotating “fishbowl” discussions, participants explored four key themes: Locally Led Systems for Change, Authentic Storytelling, Equitable Partnerships, and Accountability. These conversations created space for INGOs and donors to listen directly to local actors’ experiences and to co-develop ideas for more balanced collaboration.
The day concluded with a synthesis of key messages and commitments, focusing on how to translate global pledges into tangible, context-driven actions in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel.
Conclusion
The workshop marked a pivotal step toward reimagining partnerships between local actors, INGOs, and donors. It fostered trust, strengthened a shared understanding of localisation, and built momentum for collective action. Participants left with renewed energy, clarity on their roles, and a unified call to move from rhetoric to reality, advancing localisation as both a principle and a practice.