International development is changing significantly.
Development projects have, for many decades, followed a familiar model. International organisations found funding, designed projects, and worked with local partners to carry them out. This approach has made a huge impact globally, but has also taught a valuable lesson: real change is much more likely to stick when the people facing the challenge are part of creating the solution.
And that’s why ‘locally led development’ is one of the hottest topics of 2026 in the development sector. Governments, donors and international organisations are increasingly realising that local organisations should not just be implementing projects; they should be helping lead them.
We see communities not as beneficiaries, but as partners with the knowledge, experience, and leadership to drive sustainable development.
What Is Locally Led Development?
At its heart, locally led development means giving communities and local organisations a leading role in identifying challenges, designing solutions, and delivering projects.
While international organisations still provide funding, technical expertise and strategic support, decision-making becomes more collaborative. We want to make sure those who know their communities best have a stronger voice in shaping the work that affects them.
Why Is This Shift Happening?
This has been developing for years.
We see many examples of where projects are much better when communities are engaged right from the start. Local organisations know the social, cultural and economic reality of their communities; they have established relationships and often stay long after a project has ended.
Recent global crises reinforced the importance of local leadership. Local organisations continued supporting their communities during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, even if international travel and operations were disrupted.
Donors, meanwhile,e place more emphasis on sustainability, and aim to fund initiatives which result in strong, sustainable local institutions rather than short-term projects which disappear when a grant runs out.
A Global Movement Toward Local Leadership
This shift is increasingly reflected in donor policies and international guidance, such as the OECD’s encouragement of development partners to “strengthen local leadership…through better collaboration, stronger local institutions, and more opportunities for direct funding”. The aim is to build ‘partnerships’ where local organisations have a greater role in decision-making, rather than simply delivering projects.
Across the sector, there is a growing recognition that development works best when communities are actively involved in shaping their own future. NGOs that embrace this approach are likely to be better prepared as donor expectations continue to evolve.
Challenges to Consider
Locally led development holds great promise, but it’s not always easy to realise.
Many local organisations still face barriers to funding,g such as complex application processes, reporting requirements and weak organisational capacity. “Better governance, financial systems and monitoring are still paramount needs.
The internationals have to change, too. Creating more equitable partnerships is about sharing responsibility, building up trust over time,e and thinking differently about how we have worked for many years.
These changes take time but are increasingly seen as necessary for more sustainable outcomes of development.
Looking Ahead
Locally led development is more than a new approach to project management – it reflects a broader shift in how international development partnerships are being built.
As governments, donors, and development organisations continue to support local leadership, NGOs have an opportunity to strengthen our work by listening more closely to communities, investing in local partnerships, and creating space for shared leadership.
Communities have always understood their own challenges. What’s changing in 2026 is that the wider development sector is increasingly recognising that it should also play a leading role in shaping the solutions.
For NGOs, adapting to this shift extends beyond donor expectations. It’s about building stronger partnerships, supporting lasting local capacity, and creating development that will continue to benefit communities long after a project is finished.
