Empowering Local Communities in Türkiye

At Compass Humanitarian Organisation, we firmly believe that the most effective and sustainable humanitarian aid comes from empowering local communities. Our Localization Program is designed to shift the power dynamics of humanitarian aid, ensuring that local actors in Türkiye play a central role in decision-making and implementation. This commitment aligns with the global "Grand Bargain" initiative, which aims to make humanitarian responses more efficient and inclusive. Localization goes beyond just delivering aid; it's about building resilient communities that can respond to crises on their own terms. By empowering local organizations, we enhance the capacity of communities to manage and recover from emergencies. This approach ensures that aid is more culturally relevant, sustainable, and impactful.

Our Localization Program is built on several key components. First, we emphasize equitable partnerships by building trust and mutual respect. We treat local organizations as equal partners, involving them in all stages of project planning, implementation, and evaluation. This inclusive approach ensures that the unique insights and expertise of local actors shape our humanitarian efforts. Additionally, we prioritize joint planning and implementation, involving local actors from the onset to tailor programs to the specific needs of the community. This collaborative planning process enhances the relevance and effectiveness of our interventions.

A significant focus of our program is the quality and quantity of funding. We aim to increase the amount of direct funding to local organizations, recognizing that they are often best positioned to respond quickly and effectively to crises. To support this, we are actively working to simplify funding application processes and reduce bureaucratic barriers. Furthermore, our funding mechanisms are designed to be adaptable, allowing local partners to respond to changing circumstances and needs. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining the agility of local responses in dynamic crisis environments.

Strengthening local coordination is another vital aspect of our Localization Program. We support and advocate for the inclusion of local organizations in coordination bodies, ensuring that they lead or co-lead these mechanisms to enhance the coherence and effectiveness of humanitarian responses. To bolster their coordination capabilities, we provide training and resources to local organizations, including technical assistance, strategic planning support, and facilitating peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

Capacity development is also a cornerstone of our efforts. We invest in local expertise by offering comprehensive training programs in areas such as project management, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, we focus on sustainable staffing and resources, supporting the development of human resources strategies that enable local partners to retain skilled personnel, ensuring continuity and building institutional memory.

We invite donors, INGOs, and NGOs to join us in this vital mission. By supporting our Localization Program, you are investing in a more effective, equitable, and sustainable humanitarian response in Türkiye. Together, we can ensure that local communities are not just recipients of aid, but leaders in their own development.