Locally led development and decolonisation
The UK international development sector needs to urgently redress power imbalances to become a more effective, equitable and community-focused system.
What we work on
We are committed to supporting the UK international development sector to adopt anti-racist behaviours and mindsets that ensure power and resources drive more equitable, locally led development.
We are finding ways for the UK international development sector to accelerate its transition toward locally led development
We are supporting organisations to change by sharing knowledge and learning through working groups, resources and events.
The impact of our work
There are a growing number of examples of community-led change in a variety of countries. But the shift needed to ensure local actors have the power and resources to lead on development is significant, and the pace of change is slow.
Over the last few years we have convened our members to understand the key barriers to change and identified areas for collective action. We also facilitate working groups and produce blogs and resources to support this ever-evolving area.
Becoming locally led as an anti-racist practice: a guide
Get the guideTaking British politics and colonialism out of our language
Get the guideIf you have any questions about our work on locally led development, please get in touch.
Get involved
Join the Changing Donor Policy and Practice Working Group
Influence policy and practice to shift how donors work for a more equitable and locally led development system.
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Join the Feedback and Accountability Working Group
Share lessons, and critically engage with systems for listening and responding to feedback from community members.
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Join the Practice for Locally Led Development Working Group
Learn, discuss challenges and share best practice to support INGOs to enable locally led development.
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Join the Sector Commitments and Roadmap of UK INGOs Working Group
Coordinate the development of commitments to transform the sector into one that places communities at the centre of its work.
Join nowNot a member? Join us now.
Find out more about membershipBlogs and resources
We have a wealth of blogs and resources on locally led development and decolonisation and regularly host events and webinars on the subject.
Related content
Charity representations of distant ‘others’ in direct mailouts: time for a rethink?
Are the images we use truly fostering an informed and engaged donor public with a nuanced understanding of global inequalities? Analysis of hundreds of images from nine British INGOs’ direct mailouts suggests visual priorities in this area still need addressing.
Justice is the work: supporting systemic reform for climate, reparations and people power
Advocates and organisers from low and middle-income countries discuss how global development can be reimagined through a justice-led lens. Lena Bheeroo tells us more.
Is an equitable, decolonised approach to global development possible?
From its inception, UK international development has been driven by vested economic interests. Is this why we are still struggling to achieve locally led development? New blog from Naomi Yehdego.