Locally led resilience: putting community priorities first
Communities understand the opportunities and constraints that shape their daily lives. Locally led resilience begins by recognising this knowledge and making space for people to influence the decisions that affect them.
Start with listening
Understanding local priorities requires dialogue, attention to context and a willingness to learn. A useful solution should respond to the realities identified by communities, rather than assuming that the same approach will work everywhere.
Make participation meaningful
Inclusion means considering whose voices are heard and whose experiences might be overlooked. Women, youth, marginalised groups and vulnerable populations should have meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping solutions. Accessible and respectful engagement helps make that participation possible.
Build on local capacities
Locally led action recognises existing skills, relationships and institutions. Supporting these capacities can strengthen ownership and help solutions continue beyond individual activities. National and local partners bring important knowledge about context and practical implementation.
Connect participation with accountability
Integrity and accountability are part of ACFIR’s guiding principles. Clear communication, ethical conduct and openness to feedback help build trust. Listening is an ongoing responsibility, including when communities identify concerns or when circumstances change.
Keep learning
Evidence and innovation complement local knowledge. Research, practical experience and shared learning can help organisations adapt their approaches and improve the relevance of their work. Systems thinking also encourages attention to the wider relationships that influence community outcomes.
For ACFIR, locally led action sits alongside inclusion and equality, community-centred action, partnership, sustainability and resilience. Together, these principles guide how we seek to work with people and partners.
