Our Work

Our Four Pillars

ToGETHER 2.0 maintains the governance structures within the program to reflect the leading role of local actors. The Country Steering Committees (CSC), comprising representatives of each local partner in one country, set strategic directions and monitor actions at the national level. The Program Advisory Committee (PAC), with one representative from each country, oversees overarching global activities. This setup ensures collective decision-making and strategic direction at both national and global levels.

In this second phase, local partners, together with the donor and the intermediaries, pilot a risk-sharing model, aiming to ensure a more reasonable sharing of the burden of preventative measures and reasonable sharing of responsibility for materializing risks.

At the start of the program, local partners conducted a capacity self-assessment and developed joint capacity strengthening plans based on their priorities. Plans were jointly executed through tailored activities like training, workshops, peer learning, and mentoring. Building on this, ToGETHER 2.0 integrates anticipatory humanitarian action (AHA) and gender-sensitive programming as key priorities to address evolving humanitarian needs. Training and resources, such as manuals on digitalization and climate adaptation will be integrated into the local partners organizational framework to support long-term sustainability and the institutionalization of capacity improvements.

To expand the reach of these efforts, a mentoring component will pair the local partners with 120 additional peer local organizations, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening capacities across a wider network of local actors.

Since the first phase of ToGETHER, the program has operationalized localization through its flexible funding mechanism, which streamlines funding and decision-making at the local level. The HOIFA is a cornerstone of ToGETHER’s approach, supporting timely, effective, and people-centered humanitarian responses led by local actors. In ToGETHER 2.0, the HOIFA continues to play a crucial role, with an enhanced structure:

  • The National HOIFA, managed by Country Steering Committees (CSCs), provides unearmarked funding for emergency preparedness and response activities and innovative approaches.
  • The Global HOIFA, overseen by the Program Advisory Committee (PAC), provides earmarked funding for strategic priorities such as anticipatory action and gender-sensitive measures.

HOIFA serves as a platform for local partners to drive coordinated humanitarian action, enhancing their capacity to lead, innovate, and attract additional support. It strengthens operational support and accountability to affected populations.

During the first phase of the program, local partners not only increased their visibility on the international humanitarian stage but also formed long-term partnerships and secured funding opportunities with a diversified range of donors and collaborators. ToGETHER 2.0 continues creating spaces for collaboration and dialogue among local and international organizations, donors, authorities, relevant networks, and other stakeholders, organizing various initiatives to promote reflection, and evidence-based learning at national, regional, and international levels. By advocating priorities such as equitable partnership, mutual accountability, and flexible funding, ToGETHER ensures the representation of local actors in humanitarian coordination and promotes their voices in international policy making.

These efforts will be expanded through the establishment of a ToGETHER Network, which will facilitate knowledge sharing and connect local actors with global stakeholders, further enhancing their visibility and influence.

Our View On Localization

The concept of “localization” refers to strengthening local ownership and leadership in humanitarian action. While interpretations vary and the term is sometimes debated, it generally encompasses efforts to enhance local actors’ leadership and decision-making in humanitarian response, as well as improve their access to quality funding, coordination, capacity sharing, and equitable, trusted partnerships.

At ToGETHER, we are committed to advancing the leadership and decision-making roles of local and national actors within their countries’ humanitarian systems. We emphasize the importance of equal partnerships, accessible quality funding, and effective coordination mechanisms.

For international organizations, this requires rethinking their role in the system and being willing to shift power to national and local organizations. However, administrative barriers and a lack of political will can present challenges to effectively implementing localization commitments.

Prince Mihigo, DR Congo
Abdikafi Mohamud, Somalia
Naw Em Htoo, Myanmar