How local organisations can lead in coordination forums

Why does coordination matter for local organisations?

Coordination forums, such as clusters, working groups and area meetings, decide who does what, where and with which resources. They share needs data, shape response plans and often connect organisations to funding. If you are not in the room, others may decide for you.

The IASC guidance says engaging local and national actors is critical to the success of humanitarian action. It describes them as often first responders, with an understanding of local challenges, local networks and greater access to affected people. Yet it also states that participation of local actors in coordination structures has remained relatively limited.

What does the IASC guidance cover?

The guidance, endorsed in 2021, was drawn from over 100 pieces of research and good practice. It is aimed at Humanitarian Coordinators, country teams and cluster groups, so it tells international actors what to change. Its main areas are:

You can use this table when you ask a forum chair for change: you are not asking for a favour, you are quoting an endorsed guidance note.

How can you prepare to take part well?

1. Pick your forums. Choose the one or two that match your sector and area. Many small meetings are less useful than a few regular ones.
2. Ask for an induction. The guidance recommends induction sessions for new members, explaining acronyms, protocols and group dynamics. Ask for one if it is not offered.
3. Read the agenda and the last minutes. Prepare one point you want the meeting to hear: a need, a gap or a risk.
4. Bring data and local knowledge. Short, specific, dated information is valued: "In village X, 40 households report no safe water since last month."
5. Send the same person each time. The guidance asks to minimise turnover so that relationships and trust can develop.
6. Follow up in writing. After the meeting, send a short note of what you offered and what you were promised.

How should you represent others?

Often, one seat is shared by many organisations. The guidance asks members to give account, take into account and be accountable to their constituency: consult them before key decisions and report back after. It also asks them to represent views beyond their own organisation's priorities.

A simple routine: a short message to your network before the meeting asking for issues, and a summary after it. This makes your voice stronger, and it supports networks. See why local NGOs should join networks.

What leadership roles exist?

The CCCM Cluster explains shared leadership: leadership is shared between the cluster lead agency and a co-coordinating partner, which can be an INGO, a national NGO or the government. A national NGO might be national co-coordinator, and a local NGO might serve in a sub-national location. The IASC guidance on cluster coordination endorses NGO co-coordination as good practice, and the CCCM page says it is particularly good practice for national and local actors to take co-coordinating roles.

There is an important limit. The co-coordinator is not accountable to the Humanitarian Coordinator for the cluster's functioning, and the lead agency keeps its formal accountabilities. Ask for clear terms of reference and resources before accepting, so that you know the workload and support.

A 2019 analysis by the Charter for Change and ALTP, using Grand Bargain reports from 254 clusters and sectors in 23 operations, found that half had national or local authorities in leadership roles at national or sub-national level, but only one quarter said local languages were spoken at meetings. Language is a practical barrier that you can raise.

What should you ask for?

Equal participation goes beyond seats. The guidance notes that it also involves access to equipment, advice, security and financial support. Consider asking for:

• Meetings partly or fully in Burmese, or interpretation.
• Documents shared early, in simple language.
• Online and low-bandwidth options.
• Travel or connection costs, if your organisation is expected to attend regularly.
• A balanced number of NGO seats for international and national NGOs.
• Time on the agenda to present local findings.

What should you protect?

The guidance asks international actors to be sensitive to risks that local and national representatives may face when taking part, to accompany local efforts rather than impose structures, and to protect civil society actors. Take the same care. Decide what you share in open forums and what stays private. Do not record sensitive names or places in minutes that many people can read. Participation also depends on respect for humanitarian principles.

For the funding side of the same issue, see how pooled humanitarian funds work for local partners, and for the wider change, what localization means for local organisations.

How EMPO can help

EMPO is a reliable training and consultancy provider based in Yangon, and one of Myanmar's leading names in practical NGO training, with 1,200+ people trained and 15 partner organisations. We work in English and Burmese, online and in person across Myanmar. We can help staff build facilitation, communication and presentation skills for coordination meetings. See our services or contact us.

Sources

• IASC Guidance on Strengthening Participation, Representation and Leadership of Local and National Actors in IASC Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms — IASC, 2021
• IASC Guidance page (versions including Burmese) — IASC, 2021
• Shared Leadership — CCCM Cluster
• Joint analysis and recommendations for the Grand Bargain Annual Review 2019 — Charter for Change and ALTP, 2019