Change means action: Strengthening local humanitarian leadership through Start Network

This project aims to transform humanitarian aid delivery by empowering local organizations to lead crisis response efforts in their communities. Funded by the Dutch Government and implemented through the Start Network, the initiative focuses on shifting power and resources from international actors to local humanitarian leaders. The project works to build capacity among local NGOs and community-based organizations in disaster-prone regions, providing them with direct access to funding, decision-making authority, and technical support. By strengthening these local actors, the program enables faster, more contextually appropriate responses to emergencies while fostering sustainable, locally-led humanitarian systems. Key components include establishing decentralized funding mechanisms, developing context-specific preparedness plans, facilitating knowledge sharing between local organizations, and advocating for systemic changes in how humanitarian aid is structured and delivered. The ultimate goal is to create a more equitable humanitarian ecosystem where affected communities have greater agency in addressing their own needs during crises.