LM International has been a vigorous proponent of the Grand Bargain agenda, advancing it through a series of targeted actions.
At the heart of the Grand Bargain lies a commitment to localisation, a strategy to empower local responders and drive systemic change by transferring power, capacity, and funding closer to affected communities. LM International has been a vigorous proponent of this agenda, advancing it through a series of targeted actions.
The Grand Bargain calls for a sustained investment in local responders’ institutional capacities—focusing on areas like disaster preparedness, response, and coordination, especially in vulnerable and conflict-prone regions. LM International has taken this directive to heart, forging long-term partnerships with local and development organisations to integrate capacity-building into all programs. Through joint training programs and knowledge exchanges, LM International bolsters local expertise on the ground, particularly in fragile regions like Kenya and Tanzania. To ensure resilience, its partnerships emphasise disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate adaptation, with clear benchmarks for progress in financial management, reporting, and leadership.
Administrative hurdles often obstruct meaningful partnerships between donors and local actors. To address this, LM International actively participates in networks such as SNHA and VOICE, advocating for flexible, accessible funding. By demonstrating how reduced barriers can enhance local response, LM International helps make a case for rethinking conventional funding mechanisms, thus empowering local actors and facilitating quicker, more effective aid delivery.
Supporting and complementing national coordination structures is another Grand Bargain priority. In line with this, LM International actively engages in country-level and regional coordination platforms, including leading the WASH cluster in Sudan and managing camp coordination in Chad, where the ongoing refugee crisis requires seamless collaboration. By ensuring neutrality and impartiality in these engagements, LM International aligns with humanitarian principles while strengthening the overall response architecture.
A cornerstone of the localisation agenda is the goal of directing at least 25% of humanitarian funding to local responders. LM International has been a vocal advocate for this target, working through both global and local channels to push for more direct funding. By building strategic relationships with local civil society organisations, LM International involves these actors early in the budgeting process, increasing their capacity to manage substantial grants and ensuring that resources reach those best positioned to deliver results on the ground.
Leveraging pooled funding tools like the UN’s country-based pooled funds (CBPF) and the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is essential for supporting local actors. In collaboration with UNOCHA and UNHCR, LM International accesses these funding sources to support its humanitarian programs and to train local partners in securing and managing pooled funds themselves. This focus on shared financial access fosters a stronger, more self-sufficient network of responders.
The Grand Bargain 2.0, introduced in 2021, deepened these commitments by emphasising even greater support for local leadership and community involvement. To this end, LM International continues its push for streamlined reporting, enhanced transparency, and expanded cash programming, all while promoting the active participation of affected communities in decision-making processes. By committing to a more localised, community-driven humanitarian system, LM International and its partners aim to not only meet immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for resilient, lasting change.