The LHL Network convened humanitarian practitioners and localization advocates from Asia Pacific and Africa online to reflect on 10 years of the Grand Bargain. While participants recognized the GB’s significant progress in making localization a mainstream humanitarian priority, the discussion highlighted persistent gaps in equitable partnerships and power shifts in decision-making. On the issue of direct funding to local actors, the webinar concluded that it was a grand failure; only a tiny portion—about 3.6%—of the promised 25% commitment flows directly to local actors as per 2024 data. Participants pointed out that dependence on Global North funding should be minimized and instead, Global South Actors should start looking at internal resources and use it more effectively for more genuine self-determination and local leadership. The panel speakers called on everyone to move beyond policy commitments, self-reporting of contributions and endless pilots. 

For more information, reach out to Janice Ian Manlutac at janice.manlutac@oxfam.org