National society development
Local actors, such as Red Cross or Red Crescent societies have the best understanding of the needs and context of the communities they serve. They are often best positioned to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and development challenges.
Yet the focus and control of aid delivery has disproportionately been in the hands of international actors.
The demands that power be transferred to local actors have grown stronger in recent years as a result of the discourse on localisation.
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies play a key role in the chain of aid and in ensuring that the entire International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is prepared for disasters and conflicts.
National Societies are responsible for the provision of aid and the activities carried out in their country, while we assist them with these activities.
How we help
Our key objective is to strengthen local Red Cross and Red Crescent socities. We support local partners in their work, so that they can strengthen their position as credible humanitarian actors in their countries.
In addition to project work, this requires investing in the organisational development of our partners, such as supporting volunteer activities and strengthening fundraising.
Complex environments, complex challenges
Many of our local partners work in difficult contexts, where they must constantly balance between responding to short-term and long-term needs.
The continuity of activities, the organisation’s sustainable financial basis and the organisation’s sustainability are key challenges to which we help find solutions in cooperation with the rest of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Read more about the experiences of the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Lebanese Red Cross.
The institutional capacity building of local actors requires long-term commitment. Humanitarian aid alone or even a project funding for several years are not enough.
We also provide funding for our partners’ organisational development initiatives, which often yield results slower than project work.
Tailored support for sustainable solutions
Local Red Cross or Red Crescent Society is responsible for their own development, while we provide support.
We focus our support on the National Society’s organisational development plan based on its special needs and focus areas.
The support we provide always depends on the case and comes in many shapes and forms. For example, we support several National Societies in the development of their financial administration.
This is not only beneficial in project activities but also supports the organisation more broadly in planning and maintaining their self-sufficient activities. Moreover, we always support our partners in developing their branch activities.
Leadership role of local actors
We emphasise the leading role of local actors in humanitarian work, climate work and development cooperation.
We take part in advocacy work in the EU and worldwide through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
We are committed to making principled humanitarian action as local as possible and as international as necessary. This means developing our own practices.
Another thing required is more resources for the leadership and preparedness of local humanitarian operators. Read more about the International Federation’s advocacy related to localisation.
Themes of the international aid of the Finnish Red Cross
