Service Description

Localisation is no longer a question of whether, but of how—and, increasingly, of with whom. As funding landscapes shift and power dynamics are challenged, traditional donor–implementer models are reaching their limits. What is needed now are new forms of partnership that are equitable, trust-based, and fit for complexity. CSA’s Localisation and New Partnerships service supports funders and local organisations to jointly redesign partnerships—moving from transactional arrangements to shared ownership, accountability, and impact. Our Offer 1. Localisation & Partnership Readiness Assessment Funders and local partners jointly assess how ready their systems, practices, and behaviours are for equitable partnerships. Using CSA’s localisation and partnership tools, this creates a shared, evidence-based starting point. 2. Reframing Partnership Models We support partners to move beyond hierarchical funding relationships towards non-hierarchical, trust-based partnership frameworks. This includes revisiting roles, decision-making, accountability, and risk-sharing from both sides. 3. Joint Strategy and Roadmap Development Through facilitated reflection and strategy thinking, partners co-create a shared localisation and partnership roadmap. This ensures alignment between organisational strategies, partnership ambitions, and operational realities. 4. Organisational Development & System Strengthening Local partners receive targeted support to strengthen governance, leadership, and internal systems—without a deficit lens. In parallel, funders adapt internal policies and processes to better enable local leadership. 5. Partnership Practice & Ways of Working We work with partners on the everyday practice of collaboration—communication, trust-building, feedback, and learning. This draws on CSA’s organisational development, facilitation, and partnership toolboxes. 6. Learning from Practice & Ecosystem Examples The service is informed by how other organisations have approached localisation and partnership transformation in practice. Drawing on real cases and examples from CSA’s localisation work and training, partners reflect on what works, what doesn’t, and what can be adapted to their own context. Please email us for an intro session: sohini@civilsocietyacademy.de