By Rose Caldwell
Please note this text is a replica of the "Foreward" from the Building Equitable Partnerships Report. To read the full report, click here.
International aid needs to be reformed. The power that lies largely in the hands of organisations based in the Global North needs to be shared more equitably with local actors, who often cannot access the same funding and influencing opportunities, and as a result are blocked from leading on development in their own communities.
As a signatory to the Pledge for Change, Plan International recognises the need to build a stronger aid ecosystem based on the principles of solidarity, humility, self-determination, and equality. This means creating genuine partnerships with local and national organisations and governments, and shifting more power, decision-making and money to those in places affected by crisis and poverty. Only through such partnerships will we remove any dependency on aid and continue to build the strength of the communities we strive to support. This entails fundamental change and a shift in approach on the part of international NGOs.
To achieve this, Plan International will build on its existing Building Better Partnerships approach and has already begun to implement practical changes to our operating models to enable more locally led responses. This report represents an important step in reflecting on our own partnerships and how we can do more, recognising that shifts at the individual, cultural and organisational level will be necessary if we are to achieve transformative change.
To achieve this, Plan International will build on its existing Building Better Partnerships approach and has already begun to implement practical changes to our operating models to enable more locally led responses. This report represents an important step in reflecting on our own partnerships and how we can do more, recognising that shifts at the individual, cultural and organisational level will be necessary if we are to achieve transformative change.