Re-imagining the INGO (RINGO)

Don't miss this session on risk-sharing and accountability at the International Civil Society Centre #GlobalPerspectives2024 conference. ?? Myriam Gambini will share learnings and insights from the RINGO innovation on risk where we convened actors across the value chain for a 'brave conversation' on risk...

"A technically perfect transition isn't going to be successful without the relational or intangible pieces that are related to mindset. Transitions are about how people feel, the vision for the future for themselves and their communities, and how people get there together." Read more from Stopping as Success (SAS+) program manager Grace Boone, JSI's Dyness Kasungami Unitaid's Karin Timmermans, and PATH's Vajra Allan on key takeaways from a recent Humentum webinar, “Shifting mindsets and practices: the changing role of global development organizations.” And register for part 2 of the webinar on December 4! Search for Common Ground Peace Direct ConnexUs

Yesterday, we attended an illuminating session organised by Re-imagining the INGO (RINGO) that shed light on a critical experience in international development: the meaningful and successful transition of leadership from international to local organisations. The session with AGE Myanmar and HelpAge International was a powerful reminder that localisation isn't just a buzzword—it's a journey of empowerment, resilience, and genuine collaboration. ?? Key Takeaways: ? Localisation, to quote the words of Hein Thet Ssoe, one of the panelist, is about "complete, not compete": It's a philosophy of mutual respect and shared purpose. ? Local capacity is extraordinary: for example, the COVID-19 crisis demonstrated the incredible resilience and leadership of local teams when truly empowered and given the space to lead. ? Trust is built through consistent actions: Shifting power requires commitment, not just grand statements. For INGOs: The path forward demands to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Localisation means genuinely sharing power, rethink models, not just delegating tasks. For Local NGOs: Strength lies in taking action, one purposeful step at a time. It is all about context, community, and leadership. The journey of localisation is complex, nuanced, unique to each country and deeply inspiring. It's about creating sustainable models that honor local expertise and self-determination. What are your thoughts on leadership transition? How can we continue to support meaningful, locally-led development? ?? #Localisation #Leadership #InternationalDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment

I was delighted to join Bert Maerten and Jimm Chick in the recent RINGO Spotlight Session on November 19, where we discussed AGE Myanmar's journey to full independence from HelpAge International. Sharing insights from our transition process and learning from HelpAge’s perspective was both meaningful and inspiring. A heartfelt thank you to Re-imagining the INGO (RINGO) for organising this impactful session and to everyone who participated and engaged in the conversation. Let’s continue working together to shape a more inclusive and locally-led future! Many thanks to AGE Myanmar's executive members—AyeMyat Phyu, Su Nandar Lwin, and Saw Alex—for their energy in taking the first step of this journey and for being supportive and energetic team members throughout. #LocalisationJourney #AGEMyanmar #LocallyLedGloballyConnected www.agemyanmar.org

AGE Myanmar were delighted to join in the recent RINGO Spotlight Session on November 19, 2024. This meaningful event allowed us to share our #LocalisationJourney, reflecting on our transition to full independence from HelpAge International and the valuable lessons learned along the way. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Re-imagining the INGO (RINGO) for organising this impactful session and to everyone who participated and engaged in the conversation. Let’s continue striving for a future that is #LocallyLedGloballyConnected, fostering inclusion, empowerment, and local leadership. ??? #AGEMyanmar #LocalisationJourney #LocallyLedGloballyConnected

As the funding landscape evolves, global development organizations must rethink their strategies and roles in advancing #locallyled development. ?? The challenge lies in knowing ?????? to make these changes. In our latest blog, leaders from Unitaid, SAS+ (CDA Collaborative Learning Projects), PATH, and JSI share how they’re embedding #equity and #localleadership into their work, from co-creating health solutions to building pathways for sustainable transitions. These organizations show that meaningful change takes time and dialogue—and with incremental steps, we can achieve lasting, equitable solutions that drive impact. ?? ?? Learn more: https://bit.ly/3V1V9Rn

?? Why is it so hard to decolonise the international humanitarian, development & peacebuilding system? What makes decolonisation so difficult for our sector? Why is change taking so long? These are the pressing, difficult questions we tackle in the penultimate episode of The Problem with Partnerships. ??Listen to episode 5 now: https://lnkd.in/e-fK7bB2 This episode, we get to grips with: ?? Recognising our roles in systemic issues ?? Limitations of good intentions ?? Barriers to shifting power dynamics ?? The ways we’re undermined by assumptions Listen in now to hear from Gunjan Veda, Chernor Bah, Dr Véronique Barbelet and Dr Jamie J. Hagen – and discover how you can change the sector for the better ? ??Join us wherever you listen to podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e-fK7bB2 #podcast #TransformPartnerships #decolonise #decolonisation

?? Traditional philanthropy often separates funders and community members, creating power imbalances where funders set the rules and practitioners work to meet them. Participatory Grantmaking (PGM) offers a fresh approach by bringing funders and those impacted by funding decisions together. ?? Taking this approach a step further, what might happen if the funder were in the room? What would it look like for the funder and fundee to make a new table where they sit together to decide where to allocate funds? ???? The Black Systemic Safety Fund project explored these questions and documented the learnings in a series of reports and digestible infographics. ?? Learn more here: https://hubs.li/Q02Ywn_y0 #systemschange #shiftthepower The Ubele Initiative, Impact on Urban Health

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our RINGO Spotlight Session today, where we welcomed Hein Thet Ssoe and Bert Maerten for a discussion on the transition from international to local ownership. With effervescent facilitation by Jimm Chick, Hein and Bert shared their insights from the transformation process of AGE Myanmar becoming fully independent from HelpAge International. The participation on the chat was lively with lots of comments and questions, please do continue the conversation below! We'll share the recording soon, but in the meantime, here are a few key takeaways: For National/Local NGOs: ? A transformation process takes time: the important thing is to take the first step and transform the words into actions ??? A localisation process must be driven by local needs and local context: engage and consult with local stakeholders? ?? “Complete not compete” - fill the gaps in the existing local services, do not compete for resources? ?? Strong authentic local leadership and teamwork must be embedded in the localisation journey ?? Be confident that you have the capacity and take action to gain trust: for AGE Myanmar, they had demonstrated this during covid and the military coup For INGOs: ?? Transformation is not just an institutional process, it’s also a mindset shift: an unlearning of previous ways of working.? ?? Listen deeply and hear attentively: AGE Myanmar’s true North Star was slightly different to HelpAge? ?? Let new ideas emerge, embrace them, walk alongside ?? Each approach to transformation is unique and context specific: go through a meaningful consultation to find the right model for that context. Some former HelpAge country offices have become fully independent organisations, others have become training centres or social enterprises. ?? Prepare for the financial implications of the transformation process as funding might no longer flow through the INGO to the country office: HelpAge International changed its business model and became a leaner organisation? ?? The INGO may still play various intermediary roles, where they can add value ?? HelpAge International is based on a network model: AGE Myanmar remains connected through the network and collaborates through that space Wise words from Mélina Villeneuve from Peace Direct and Stopping as Success: ‘The best way to go about this process authentically and successfully is to be intentional and honest with yourself and others you are working with. Listen to each other, and enter these conversations with as much humility as possible - it's a process!” Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gx-3XhuD Jimm concluded the session with a call to action: “We all have the capacity. Shifting the power is about the INGO letting go. Give everyone in our space that opportunity, the freedom to decide for ourselves.” West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) #shiftthepower #localisation #transformation #decolonisation #civilsociety #internationaldevelopment #INGO #CSO