2026 Seminars

Locally Led Action (LLA) has become a central commitment across the humanitarian and development system. From Grand Bargain pledges to organisational strategies, there is broad consensus that shifting power, resources, and decision-making closer to affected communities is both necessary and overdue. Yet, despite strong rhetoric and policy alignment, implementation continues to lag behind ambition. Too often, discussions on LLA focus on principles, success stories, and consensus—while avoiding a more uncomfortable but necessary conversation: what has not worked, and why.

Across contexts, efforts to operationalize LLA have encountered persistent challenges. Power remains concentrated, funding rarely follows intention, compliance structures continue to privilege international actors, and local organisations are often expected to carry increasing responsibilities without equivalent authority or resources. At the same time, many initiatives labelled as “locally led” fall short of meaningful shifts in decision-making and ownership.

This panel session at AidEx Geneva takes a deliberately different approach. Instead of focusing primarily on success stories, it will center on “failures”, blind spots, and unfinished transitions in advancing Locally Led Action. Panellists will be invited to share candid reflections on what did not work in their efforts to localise, what assumptions proved wrong, and what trade-offs were underestimated.

By grounding the discussion in real examples and experiences from contexts such as South Sudan and Uganda – the session will unpack the gap between intention and practice. Each reflection will focus not only on the “what went wrong,” but critically on the learning that emerged and what would need to change to move forward.

The session is built on the premise that operationalizing LLA is not simply a technical challenge, but a systemic transformation. It requires rethinking roles across the entire ecosystem – including INGOs, donors, local actors, networks, and governments – and confronting difficult trade-offs around risk, control, speed, and accountability. It also demands moving beyond funding targets to address deeper questions of power, incentives, and organisational change.

By creating space for honest and self-critical reflection, this panel aims to move beyond the buzzword and identify what it truly takes to deliver Locally Led Action in practice.