The Power of Localization and Local Resource Mobilization

This article post is my reflection on the "Innovating Local Resource Mobilization for Sustainability" forum held on September 9, 2024. In an increasingly interconnected world, the importance of localization and local resource mobilization cannot be overstated. As communities strive to address their unique challenges these two concepts have become increasingly intertwined.

This article post explores the symbiotic relationship between localization and local resource mobilization, highlighting how they can equip communities and drive positive change.

Building Strategic Alliances: A Catalyst for Impact

Our first session, moderated by Priscah Mongera from G for Girls Initiative , focused on community-based organizations and the critical need for synergy between the private sector, government, and civil society. @Samson from @Kwale County government emphasized the county's commitment to providing the space for such collaboration. Dianah Kendi Makale from The END Fund highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships to address complex issues and the need for effective communication.

Emmaculate Ardhine expanded on the crucial role of the private sector in corporate social responsibility, particularly her organization's focus on improving the financial well-being of producers. Jaramba George from the CSO Consortium noted that this was a groundbreaking event, bringing together civil society, government, and the private sector under one roof.

Harnessing Local Fundraising: A Strategic Approach

The second session Led by myself and Kennedy Odera from Kenya Community Development Foundation , this session explored the art of modern and traditional fundraising. While methods may evolve, the fundamental principles remain constant. We engaged participants in a practical discussion about how to connect with communities and funders to secure investments.

The essential component of fundraising is always linked to impact and storytelling. We discussed how to showcase the tangible results of our work and craft compelling narratives. The testimonies of the communities we've engaged serve as powerful tools in this process.

Enhancing Financial Management: Building Trust and Transparency

The third session, led by Tsuma Baruwa, focused on building confidence within our communities and with funders. Transparent financial practices are essential for showcasing our engagement and impact.

We explored the elements of due diligence in financial transparency, emphasizing our accountability to the communities we serve. This practical session included modern technological solutions that small organizations can utilize to streamline their financial processes. The ongoing participatory approach ensures efficient reporting.

Advocating for Policy Change: A Collective Approach

The final session of the day, led by Steve Njenga from MoFund Africa , began with an engaging brain teaser that highlighted the increasing trend of giving by Africans living abroad and on the continent. This discussion aligned with our previous sessions, which explored the various forms of giving as daily practices for many Africans. As highlighted by a recent report titled 'Local Giving in Africa' by West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) , participating organizations often receive significant support from their communities. (Report: https://wacsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Research-Report_Local-Giving-in-Africa.pdf)

The most impactful aspect of the session was the call for CBOs to collaborate, whether for fundraising or back-office support. Even the county government representative, Samson, acknowledged the need for synergy to achieve a significant impact and conserve resources. Steve emphasized the collaborative approach of bringing organizations together, including sharing back-office functions to reduce costs and increase impact. The strength of advocacy lies in networks, and these networks can play a crucial role in driving policy change.

Understanding Localization and Local Resource Mobilization

• Localization: Adapting our approaches to meet the specific needs and preferences of a particular community (even within Nairobi, communities have distinct characteristics). In the context of community development, localization involves tailoring initiatives to the unique characteristics of a local community, ensuring they are relevant, culturally appropriate, and effective. This can only be achieved when initiatives are advocated for and implemented by the community itself, as they possess the best understanding of their needs and experiences.
• Local Resource Mobilization: Identifying, accessing, and utilizing resources within a community to support development efforts. These resources can include financial contributions, human capital, in-kind donations, natural resources, and time of experts. Importantly, resources by definition is not solely limited to financial contributions.

The Synergy Between Localization and Local Resource Mobilization

• Community Ownership: Localized initiatives foster a sense of ownership and leading to increased participation in resource mobilization efforts.
• Cultural Relevance: Localization ensures initiatives align with local cultural norms, values, and traditions, enhancing their effectiveness and acceptability.
• Tailored Solutions: Understanding specific needs and challenges allows for tailored solutions that address root causes and achieve lasting impact.
• Strengthened Networks: Localization fosters stronger relationships between community members, organizations, and external partners, facilitating resource identification and access.
• Increased Efficiency and Effectiveness: Localized initiatives are often more efficient and effective, improving resource utilization and maximizing impact.

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?A Community-Based Organization: Diani CP School: Different is not Less?

Inspired by my conversation with Barke Rashid, founder of Diani CP School in Kwale, I am deeply moved by her unwavering commitment to supporting children with quadriplegia. Barke exemplifies the transformative power of individual initiative and community engagement, acting as founder, financial backbone, and resource mobilizer.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these children and their families, Diani CP School, with the motto "different is not less," has established a network of community-driven initiatives addressing both physical and emotional needs. One of the most remarkable aspects is their reliance on community funding. This approach fosters a strong sense of ownership and solidarity among community members.

Community-Based Initiatives

Diani CP School has implemented various community-based initiatives to enhance the quality of life for quadriplegic children and their families. These initiatives include:

• Community Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about quadriplegia and the challenges faced by individuals with this condition.
• Support Groups: Providing a platform for families to connect, share experiences, and offer mutual support.
• Advocacy Efforts: Advocating for policies and services that address the specific needs of quadriplegic children and their families.

By leveraging the power of community involvement and local resources, Diani CP School has become a beacon of hope for quadriplegic children and their families in Kwale County. Her organization's success demonstrates the transformative impact that localized initiatives can have on vulnerable populations.

The Importance of Local Funding

During a recent community engagement activity at the forum, we asked participating organizations to pitch ideas lasting 45 seconds to their peers. After the pitches, we asked the audience to vote on whether they would fund the idea, first assuming the funding was coming from me as the presenter and then imagining themselves as the funders. The results were striking: when the funding was perceived to be coming from me, around 80% of the audience voted in favor.However, when they were asked to imagine themselves as the funders, the percentage dropped to around 20%.

This experiment highlights a common phenomenon: people are often more willing to support ideas when they perceive the funding to be coming from someone else. This suggests that when seeking local funding, organizations may need to work harder to demonstrate the value of their initiatives to the community. Local funders, who are familiar with the circumstances, may require more convincing than external funders.

Conclusion

As Evans Okinyi perceptively notes, addressing systemic and infrastructural issues requires investing in ecosystem building. EAPN has been at the forefront of promoting giving by providing a collaborative platform that champions, connects, and co-creates innovative solutions to advance philanthropy in the region. Unlocking domestic resources has been a driving mission, and recent grant-makers summits have highlighted the importance of strategic philanthropy in a dynamic era.?

During the forum, a statement was made: this was the first time CSOs, CBOs, and funders, convened under one roof at the county level to discuss these issues. This gathering underscores the importance of creating spaces for collaboration and dialogue, particularly when focusing on localization.

The growth of wealth in East Africa offers us a unique opportunity to explore local resource mobilization as an untapped potential. By fostering strong connections and addressing the power dynamics within the development sector, we can unlock the resources needed to create lasting change. However, one key aspect we must acknowledge is the need to demonstrate impact. As the community engagement activity revealed, local funders, who are familiar with the circumstances, may require more convincing. This is a task that the civil society sector must actively undertake.