Understanding and addressing the unintended effects of aid localisation

Figures & data

Figure 1. Frequency and impact classification of each unintended effect.

Table 1. Recommendations by unintended effect.

Unintended effect	Recommendation
Competition effect	(1) Provide technical assistance to smaller LNGOs and CBOs, enabling them to meet donor requirements;* (2) Negotiate risk-sharing with donors to limit onerous risk burdens for LNGOs; (3) Analyse not only INGO–LNGO but also large–small LNGO power disparities.
Administration effect	(1) *Idem; (2) Eschew bureaucratic structures and processes of implementing localisation.
Value effect	(1) Pursue value enrichment: achieving shared values between INGOs and LNGOs through deliberate, open dialogue; (2) If necessary, decide whose values will inform project design.
Civic space effect	(1) Prepare sufficient funding and expertise to support LNGOs’ human rights defenders with physical and legal protection; (2) Connect LNGOs to relevant embassies or consulates.
Climate effect	Monitor projects as locally as possible.
All effects	(1) Invest time and funding in participatory planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning; (2) Negotiate greater ToC flexibility with donors.

Table A1. List of interviewees.

Interviewee	Position	Organisation
1	Expert	INGO
2	Expert	INGO
3	Project Staff	LNGO
4	Expert	INGO
5	Executive	LNGO
6	Researcher	Research Institute
7	Executive	LNGO
8	Expert	INGO
9	Project Coordinator	LNGO
10	Expert	INGO
11	Project Staff	LNGO
12	Researcher	Research Institute
13	Expert	INGO
14	Expert	INGO
15	Project Coordinator	INGO

Note: The experts worked at Cordaid and partner NGOs on localisation, monitoring and evaluation, security and justice, gender, climate, and political relations. The areas of expertise are not attributed to the individual interviewees to ensure their anonymity.

Data availability statement

The data collected for the study are available upon request.