Empowering Local Voices

Development projects should be supported by local people and organizations. Helvetas lays out how localization should be achieved in a manifesto drawn up with other Swiss non-governmental organizations.

Esther Marthaler, Helvetas’ expert on partnership and localization, shares insights on this new guidance. 

What does localization mean in concrete terms?

Development cooperation is sustainable when people, organizations, authorities and companies in the respective country work together — and eventually overcome challenges on their own. For example, when a trainer in Kosovo takes it upon themselves to consult with business associations to ensure that their training is relevant to the job market. When women in Guatemala find the courage to implement their own ideas, independent of their husbands or social pressure. When people in Burkina Faso learn to organize themselves together with local authorities to plan and build wells and roads — and finance them independently.

Projects are most successful when they are embedded in the overall system, processes and responsibilities are clearly defined (the keyword here being governance) and cash flows are transparent.

In the past, international NGOs were more like “donors” who had project ideas and provided the money for them. Local organizations and people, on the other hand, were more like “recipients” who participated. The power imbalance has not yet been overcome everywhere, and structural and financial obstacles still exist.

We are addressing this. Depending on the context and objectives, we work with various partners, such as local civil society organizations that relay the concerns of different groups into political processes and hold authorities, administrations and governments accountable. However, the scope for civil society actors and activists to operate is becoming increasingly limited worldwide. This makes it all the more important to be well connected so that the voices of our local partners are heard in the process of change.

Is this the reason for the manifesto? 

Yes, it is a joint declaration of intent by Swiss development NGOs to promote localization — developed together with local actors. It also defines the future role of Swiss development organizations such as ours. 

And what does this role look like?

Helvetas will carry out fewer and fewer projects operationally, but will increasingly impart knowledge and skills and accompany cultural and organizational processes. We want to connect relevant players with each other — at round tables, on platforms and through political engagement.

At the same time, we provide critical and constructive feedback, openly address challenges and ensure that transparency, accountability and compliance with national and international standards are maintained. We learn a lot in this exchange and can apply our insights elsewhere.

In Bhutan, we were able to complete the aims of our country program in 2025. A newly founded local organization made up of former employees is continuing Helvetas' work, and the country is now tackling its challenges independently.