News

New project to lower compliance burdens for local and national associations

DRC, HQAI, ICVA, and SPONG join forces to launch "LOCAL" project. The project will explore and test innovative approaches.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in collaboration with the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI), International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), and the Secrétariat Permanent des Organisations Non Gouvernementales (SPONG), today announces the launch of the project named LOCAL: LOwering CompliAnce burdens for Local and national associations.

The LOCAL project, led by DRC with HQAI, ICVA, and SPONG as subgrantees, funded by the European Union, will operate across three countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with a pilot phase commencing in Burkina Faso.

The project addresses the increasing pressure on Local/National associations (LNAs) from international actors (International Organizations and donor agencies) to comply with complex and sometimes duplicative quality standards. This project proposes an innovative approach to:

Streamlining due diligence processes:
The project will explore and test innovative approaches, such as "due diligence passporting," which leverages existing compliance assessments to reduce duplication and expedite funding access.
Enhancing LNA capacity:
Through tailored training and capacity-building initiatives, the project will equip LNAs with the necessary tools and skills to meet quality and accountability standards such as the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
Promoting advocacy and engagement:
The project will encourage international organizations and donors to recognize the benefits of the Due Diligence Assessment (DDA) passporting approach and support its wider adoption to promote the localization agenda.

The LOCAL project will benefit:

10 Burkinabe LNAs participating in the pilot phase, selected through a transparent and bottom-up approach.
An estimated 60 LNAs across the three target countries through various capacity-building initiatives.
More than 1,200 individuals within LNAs will gain essential skills and knowledge.

We are proud to lead the LOCAL project, which embodies our commitment to supporting and empowering local and national associations in humanitarian efforts. By collaborating with HQAI, ICVA, and SPONG, we aim to streamline processes and reduce compliance burdens, ultimately facilitating greater access to international funds and advancing the localisation agenda.

Romain Sztark, Head of multi-country operations, DRC

Expected Outcomes:

By streamlining compliance processes, strengthening LNAs capacity, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the LOCAL project aims to:

Increase access to funding for LNAs, enabling them to play a more prominent role in humanitarian and development interventions.
Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian and development programs.
Contribute to a more equitable and sustainable localization agenda.

The LOCAL project builds upon existing initiatives and expertise of the consortium members:

DRC will lead this consortium while providing its expertise and experience in strengthening the capacities of LNAs and their staff.
HQAI will provide key technical expertise on DDA passporting and CHS compliance and will conduct the group audit in Burkina Faso while training auditors from Mali and Niger as observers to complete their training.
ICVA will lead advocacy efforts to garner support for the project among international actors.
SPONG will play a crucial role in selecting LNAs and coordinating capacity-building activities.

The LOCAL project is a pilot initiative with the potential for broader application.

The LOCAL project represents a significant step towards enhancing quality, accountability, and equity within the humanitarian sector. By streamlining due diligence processes and providing access to tailored capacity-strengthening services, we aim to empower local and national associations to meet international standards and access vital funding.

Désirée Walter, Executive Director, HQAI

About the Consortium

DRC

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956. We are a leading, international humanitarian displacement organization, supporting refugees and internally displaced persons during displacement, in exile, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. We provide protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance. We support displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies - and we work with communities, civil society, and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

HQAI

The Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI) is an independent, not-for-profit and non-governmental auditor for the humanitarian and development sector. It was founded in 2015 to provide independent third-party quality assurance services to organizations working with vulnerable and at-risk communities.

ICVA

The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) is a global network of non-governmental organisations whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice.

SPONG

The Secrétariat Permanent des Organisations Non Gouvernementales (SPONG), a platform in Burkina Faso, promotes synergy and collaboration among NGOs and development associations.

Local and national associations are constantly solicited by international actors and must undergo repetitive, multi-faceted assessments from various potential partners or collaborators within the humanitarian response framework. This is inefficient, counterproductive, and ineffective. This initiative with DRC, ICVA, HQAI will allow beneficiaries to streamline the time spent on assessments and establish minimum standards and procedures to meet the expectations of international actors.

Mavalow Christelle KALHOULE, Chair of the Board of Directors of SPONG

About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid

The European Union and its Member States are among the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world.

It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by disasters and human-induced crises.

Through the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year.

With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.