Recent funding pushbacks and recalibrations shifting donor priorities, and protracted crises amidst the humanitarian reset — have strained humanitarian financing. Local organizations, despite being the first responders and long-term anchors in crises, remain underfunded and under-supported. This session aims to showcase opportunities for locally-led financing models, promote scalable funding models with huge impact for locally-led humanitarian action in a leaner funding environment.

To make humanitarian response truly effective, amidst funding recalibration, local leadership must be more than a goal—it must be the standard. This concept is a call to action for donors and partners to co-create a system where local responders are financed, trusted, and empowered to lead.

Expected outcomes: Increased funding flows directly to local organizations, anticipatory and sustainable financing for humanitarian action, locally-led responses that are sustainable, scalable, and shift from donor-recipient dynamics to equal and equitable partnerships.

Objective: explore and share lessons from the field of practical, locally-led funding mechanisms:

Stronger financial systems and capacitating local organizations.

Learn about scalable, adaptable models that deliver long-term impact.

John Ede, Chief Executive Officer & President - Ohaha Family Foundation

Callum Aitken, International Development Advisor - People's Postcode Lottery

Michael Mosselmans, Head of Humanitarian Division - Christian Aid

Patrick Katelo Issako, Executive Director - Pastotalist Community Initiative and Development Assistance (PACIDA) Kenya

Margaret Muthama, Head of WHRDs Programme - UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund

Financing and scaling locally-led humanitarian action post-funding calibration