Locally Led Action: Strengthening Equitable Partnerships
Local and national organizations, communities, and governments know best what kind of development cooperation and humanitarian aid is necessary, effective, and sustainable. They must therefore play a central role in the design and implementation of projects. Caritas Switzerland has been promoting locally led and context-appropriate approaches for many years.
Caritas Switzerland works in close partnership with local actors, especially from civil society, to effectively combat poverty and improve the resilience of communities. Together, we build on local expertise, strengthen the leadership roles of our partners, and develop projects collaboratively. Responsibility and decision-making powers are increasingly being transferred to the affected communities and local structures.
«Caritas Switzerland is already doing remarkable work in terms of partnership, but greater operational flexibility, increased strategic inclusion and stronger institutional support would make our collaboration even more effective and equitable.»partner organisation in chad
For this reason, Caritas Switzerland is continuously developing its role as an international NGO and increasingly aligning its structures and processes with local leadership. This is being done in close cooperation with our partner organizations, whose expertise is central to context-appropriate, efficient, and sustainable approaches.
We are currently in the midst of this transformation process and are gradually aligning structures, decision-making processes, and collaboration towards equitable partnerships. Our goal is to systematically implement the changes we have set out to achieve in the coming years and to make measurable progress together with our partners, whose expertise and leadership are central to shaping context appropriate, efficient and sustainable approaches.
- long-term cooperation
- co-development of projects and joint decision-making in project implementation and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
- fair share of resources
- a clear strategy on risk sharing
We follow the existing Caritas International (CI) Networks’ Commitments to strengthen Localisation and Partnerships (link at the bottom of the page). And we also actively participate in discussions on localisation within the CI network.
Factsheet
Our Factsheet on Locally Led Action and Equitable Partnerships
Caritas Switzerland’s Locally Led Action Approach: Strengthening Equitable Partnership
February 2026
Download (pdf, 152.78 KB)Manifesto on international cooperation
44 Swiss NGOs, including Caritas Switzerland, have adopted a joint manifesto on locally anchored cooperation. In it, the organizations commit to eliminating power imbalances, strengthening local ownership, leading equitable partnerships, ensuring high-quality financing, and protecting civil society space.
Manifesto on international cooperation
February 2026
Download (pdf, 969.52 KB)Further resources on this topic
Header image: © Caritas Switzerland in Bolivia