Give Power to Ukrainian NGOs is an advocacy project that spontaneously began in August 2022 with an Open Letter to international organizations and donors operating in Ukraine after UN OCHA released information that only 1% of UN funds go directly to local organizations and volunteer associations. The open letter gathered over 300 signatures, so we decided to make our activities strategic to support community foundations and other local organizations that are overcoming the consequences of the war.

Russia’s full-scale invasion has revealed many of the challenges that local NGOs face in the face of international actors. For example, unjustified bureaucracy, the use of local organizations as contractors rather than equal partners, language barriers, and many others. At the same time, statistics show that local organizations are at least 15.5% more cost-effective in providing assistance, have better knowledge of the needs, and are the first to have access to people in need. Localization and strengthening of local leadership can be the key to significantly improving the position of local NGOs and the development of the public sector in Ukraine.

What do we advocate for?

• Increasing the percentage of direct funding to local organizations by foreign donors and international organizations.
• Reduction of bureaucracy in granting and reporting processes, access to flexible funding and administrative costs for local organizations
• Equal partnerships and risk sharing
• Transparency of the work of donors and international organizations
• Strengthening the voice of Ukrainian NGOs in the international community
• Establishment of local community funds to provide flexible funding

What is localization and local leadership?

Localization of international resources is a set of internal reforms, actions, and policies that international organizations apply to ensure that their work is adapted to the needs and context of the country where they operate. In the process of localization, the principle of “do no harm” is important, which means that international actors integrate into the aid system in a sustainable way and link with local organizations without destroying them.

Strengthening local leadership (or local leadership) is a process of recognizing, strengthening the capacity and capacities of local organizations. The ultimate goal is to create an ecosystem of local actors that can respond to crises on their own.

“I want to say that localization from the first day of our existence means knowing the needs of people and responding to threats and social problems with our activities. For us, localization is absolutely natural.” – Larysa Polska, Head of the Board of Kherson Community Foundation ‘Zakhyst’.

“My advice to local organizations is to say that you are not satisfied with specific clauses of the contract, that you are not satisfied with this preformation of the project. Don’t be afraid to defend your boundaries. I would ask international organizations to open their reports, especially localization reports. Show how the funds go to local organizations.” – Daria Rybalchenko, Director of the National Network for the Development of Local Philanthropy

“For us, localization is about expanding opportunities for providing resources to local organizations. And we put them first. Strengthening local organizations so that they become sustainable in the long run.” – Jeffrey Lehrer, Acting Deputy Mission Director, USAID

Current activities

In 2023, our organization co-founded the Alliance of Ukrainian NGOs, which created the Localization Roadmap in Ukraine and continues to work on representing the interests of local organizations at the national and international levels.

We have a series of networking events called Meetings for Change, which have become a tool for local organizations to get to know donors better. In the Local Talks format, local organizations can share stories about their experience and expertise.

We co-organized the second national conference “Ukrainian Leadership in Aid”, a series of webinars and roundtables on localization. We contribute to research and publish analytical materials that will help more people learn about the current challenges and successes in strengthening local leadership.

Participation in the international community

Over the two years of our activity, we have formed a large circle of reliable partners who share our values. Now our organization is a member of the ShiftThePower movement, supports the Pledge for Change and RINGO communities.

In 2024, we conducted a series of consultations for Refugees International to bring the Ukrainian context to their international advocacy activities.

Contact information

Maksym Hrynchyshyn, Head of Advocacy

m.hrynchyshyn@philanthropy.com.ua

We are open for cooperation and your ideas!