Locally-led Development

Locally led development focuses on shifting power, resources and decision-making to local actors, strengthening how international cooperation efforts are designed and delivered.

In an era of disruption and overlapping crises, locally led approaches strengthen resilience, relevance and impact—ensuring cooperation efforts are more equitable, effective, and sustainable. This means working in ways that recognize and support local leadership, adapt to context and build long-term capacity across humanitarian, development and peace efforts.

Cooperation Canada advances locally-led development by promoting local leadership, rethinking partnerships and funding and supporting more equitable ways of working across the sector.

Through convening, coordination, and collaboration, we bring organizations and partners together to share learning, address common challenges and advance practical approaches to shifting power and resources. Our work supports a sector that is better equipped to respond to crises while centering local actors.

By drawing on global evidence and sector experience, we help organizations rethink partnerships, shift funding practices and adapt systems to work more effectively across contexts—translating commitments to locally led development into action.

What We Work On

Locally led development is key to more equitable and effective international cooperation. Our work supports the sector to shift power, partnerships, and resources to local actors, while building the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to put this into practice.

Strengthening the capacity of Canada’s international cooperation sector

by equipping organizations with practical tools, resources and learning opportunities

Supporting the transition of power, partnerships and financing to local actors

Applying strategic foresight, in collaboration with partner networks in Africa and Latin America

to inform more adaptive, context-driven approaches

Convening the sector to foster collaboration, shared learning and collective action

Why It’s Important

Locally led development leads to more relevant, effective and sustainable international cooperation. By centering local leadership, the sector can better respond to complex and overlapping crises while addressing structural inequities. This approach drives meaningful change across how international cooperation is funded, delivered and sustained.

Shifting power, resources and decision-making to local actors strengthens ownership, accountability and long-term impact
More equitable partnerships help rebalance relationships in the sector, valuing local knowledge, leadership and priorities
Accessible and flexible funding enables local organizations to respond to crises and build resilience over time
Stronger collaboration and shared learning support organizations to move from commitment to action, advancing locally-led approaches across humanitarian, development and peace contexts

Get Involved

Connect with Cooperation Canada’s locally-led development work and engage with peers advancing localization across the sector.

Cooperation Canada Trainings