Local Power, Global Impact: Redefining Aid Across Borders
- Subi Adede
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8
In a world grappling with complex, cross-border development challenges—from climate change and migration to gender disparities and funding inequities—a bold new movement is emerging to shift the centre of power. From September 2nd to 4th, 2024, in the vibrant heart of Nairobi, Kenya, 22 leaders from grassroots coalitions in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria came together to ignite that shift.
Hosted by the Warande Advisory Centre (WAC) and The Share Trust, this inaugural Transboundary Coalition Learning Event was not just another conference. It was a clarion call for localisation, equity, and transformational change in the global aid ecosystem. Here’s why it matters, and what it set in motion.
From Local Problems to Transboundary Solutions
The event brought together members of the Local Coalition Accelerator (LCA)—a dynamic model empowering community-based actors through funding, mentorship, and shared leadership. Each coalition represented a living lab of localisation: from Bangladesh’s disaster-preparedness strategies to Uganda’s youth-led advocacy and Ethiopia’s SHG-rooted governance.
The Transboundary Coalition was born from a common truth: many of the challenges local actors face; be they resource scarcity, inequality, or climate impacts—do not respect borders. The event became a living demonstration of what happens when local actors lead the charge, not just in their countries, but across regions.
Redesigning the Architecture of Aid
One of the most transformative elements of the forum was its unapologetic interrogation of the status quo. Key themes included:
Decolonising aid: Participants tackled power imbalances, calling for a shift from donor-led agendas to community-owned decision making.
Flexible, direct funding: With only 1.2% of humanitarian aid reaching local organisations, participants proposed bold alternatives—risk sharing frameworks, inclusive budgeting, and dismantling restrictive overhead caps.
Governance that builds trust: Coalitions explored rotational leadership, peer learning, and conflict transformation models rooted in trust, transparency, and equity.
Gathering around the ‘fireplace’: An intimate dialogue that sparked deep insights and collective learning.
Through engaging workshops, country presentations, and even a “fireside chat” inspired by Ugandan traditions, participants didn't just talk about change—they modelled it.
The Power of Storytelling and Solidarity
Beyond the strategy and structure, what made the event powerful was its human element. Leaders shared stories of resistance and resilience, from Kenyan organisations navigating donor droughts to Nigerian coalitions building trust amidst crisis. In every story, a common thread emerged: authenticity, courage, and a refusal to be sidelined.
As Chilande Kuloba-Warria, Managing Director of Warande Advisory Centre, poignantly reminded participants: “We need to listen deeply, share boldly, and lead collectively.”
Sowing Seeds for the Future
The final day of the event culminated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, a fitting tribute to the seeds of collaboration, knowledge, and action sown over the three-day convening. Concrete outcomes were mapped, including:
Launching a rotating leadership structure (with Uganda chairing the first term)
Establishing quarterly coalition engagements
Rolling out key performance indicators (KPIs) for tracking resilience and impact
Advocating for policy shifts through the findings of the “Passing the Buck” study, which exposed the inefficiencies and inequities of current funding models
Why This Matters—Now More Than Ever
This learning event wasn't a one-off. It was a movement accelerator.
It affirmed that local organisations are not just beneficiaries—they are architects of the future. When properly resourced, trusted, and connected, they are best placed to drive enduring, people-centred development.
As global systems strain under geopolitical shifts, humanitarian fatigue, and climate shocks, the answer is not more centralisation—it’s distributed leadership rooted in local knowledge and collective power.
What Comes Next?
The Transboundary Coalition is charting a new course, one where community-led change transcends geography, and where solidarity, not charity, drives impact.
If you’re a donor, policy advocate, INGO, or development practitioner, now is the time to listen, adapt, and invest in locally-rooted, coalition-led transformation.
Because the future of equitable development is already here. It just happens to speak with many voices—from Kampala to Khulna, Addis to Abuja, and it’s ready to lead.
Learn more about the Transboundary Coalition Learning Event by reading the full report here.
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