This evaluative research studies Oxfam’s Emergency Response Fund (ERF) Agility, a funding model designed to be accessible to local actors that was piloted in Bangladesh, Puerto Rico, and Uganda from 2021 to 2025. The findings show that when local groups lead the response, aid can be faster, more appropriate to community needs, and more inclusive—especially for women and marginalized groups. However, the study also highlights ongoing challenges, such as difficulties in sending funds directly to local organizations, limited long-term funding, and the need to better support the safety and wellbeing of frontline workers. This report provides strong early evidence from a learning-oriented pilot of a funding model for local actors, with clear potential for further validation and strengthening, particularly at subnational levels.

Overall, the research aims to help improve how humanitarian aid is delivered by showing what works, what needs to change, and how support can better reach the people who need it most.

To access the full research, you may visit https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/emergency-response-fund-agility-evaluating-a-locally-led-humanitarian-funding-m-621848/