Background

COVID-19 compounds broader challenges of conflict, poverty, inequality, food security and stability, and deeply undermines development efforts. This is particularly true for fragile and conflict affected settings, and this is why any attempt to respond to the pandemic must go well beyond the sole emergency/humanitarian framework. Ensuring that the response provided is contextualized (and values/strengthens the local capacity), comprehensive and multidimensional is key.

The Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus provides an interesting framework within which to unpack localization.

Using the HDP nexus lens, the online discussion will unpack the localization agenda by discussing its key principles and how it can promote inclusive and sustainable recovery. Looking especially at fragile and (post) conflict settings where security and rule of law (SRL) remains a crucial sector and where nexus approaches for food security and stability are applied in resilience, livelihoods and markets programming. By discussing the importance of localization and understanding the different examples and evidences in practice, SRL as well as humanitarian, development partners and other stakeholders, including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be equipped with program and policy recommendations that enable effective use of COVID-19 and development related funding in the future.

Based on concrete approaches tested by practitioners, the interactive discussion aims to:

• discuss the localization agenda by understanding what it implies in practice, why it matters (while trying to build forward together), how to define the local (legitimate voices) and how to value and strengthen the local resilience;
• identify emerging operational challenges of its implementation;
• and identify specific recommendations for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, multilateral institutions and civil society actors.

To this end, the workshop will bring together key staff of the Dutch MFA, implementing partners from the Department of Stability and Humanitarian Aid (DSH) as well as researchers working on both SRL and humanitarian issues.

Agenda

14:00  Welcome & introduction, KPSRL

14:05  Setting the scene: Why does localization matter for building back better, and what is the role of civil society? CARE Nederland

14:15  Story telling panel discussion: Panelists will reflect on their own experiences and will share best practices supporting localization for inclusive and sustainable recovery in fragile and conflict affected settings

14:55  Plenary Q&A, moderated by KPSRL

15:30  Wrap up & closing, KPSRL

Panelists

1. The Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) - José Jódar Vidal, Senior Technical Officer Presenting main findings and priority actions about Cash and Vouchers Assistance and localization highlighted in the State of the World Cash Report (SOWC) 2020.
2. NORCAP - Katja Jose, Lake Chad Programme Manager & Marga Ledo, Expert, Cash Response Team/CashCap Sharing NORCAP’s approach, experience, lessons learned, challenges and “building back better” opportunities related to localization, reflecting in particular on NORCAP’s two flagship programmes – Lake Chad Basin programme and CashCap.
3. Mercy Corps - Danielle Jolicoeur, Regional Resilience Director for Africa: Sharing approaches and experiences from the DRC and Somalia.

Department of Stability and Humanitarian Aid (DSH) representative, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflecting on experiences shared by panelists.

Click here for the full concept note.

Image credits: Community Development Council Meething. Zaragaran Village. Mazar-e-Sharif. Citizen’s Charter Afghanistan Project. 4-6-2017. Photo: Rumi Consultancy/World Bank