We’re taking a break from our typical newsletter articles to bring you a curated roundup of recent reads, podcast episodes, and insights about our favorite topic—country-led action and how international aid can shift power to local leaders.
Dive into these global perspectives and fresh ideas:
- Rethinking Humanitarianism | Somalia’s plan to break free from aid dependence
Systemic reform in action. Part of a podcast series on what drives change in the humanitarian system and what it tells us about future efforts to transform the system for the better.
- Good Intentions Are Not Enough: Why Aid Must Build Strength, Not Dependence
A reality check for development practitioners. Aid moves markets and shifts power dynamics. True localization requires working through national systems, designing exit strategies from the start, and applying strict “harm analysis.”
- Africa’s Youth Employment Crisis Has a Curriculum Problem
Unapologetic and practical. Let’s rethink how women’s livelihood initiatives are structured and executed across Africa.
- The next global health architecture cannot exclude women
Global advocacy. A powerful call to move beyond surface-level inclusion and sustainably fund women’s leadership at the top tiers of health governance and finance.
- Localization 2.0: The case for hybrid institutions
A structural reset. The next frontier for localization is building durable hybrid institutions that combine local legitimacy with global expertise.
- From Waiting Room to Labour: How Task-Shifting in Nigeria is Saving Lives
Doubling down on task-shifting. Equipping community health extension workers with the tools to improve maternal health in Kano state.
And, in case you missed it from our own authors this year:
- Mozambique: Country-led Action Against a Rising Tide
Strengthening health systems alongside to government partners to expand sexual and reproductive health and rights and combat gender-based violence.
- Delivering Context-Specific Maternal Health Solutions and Fragile and Insecure Settings
Partnering with TAConnect in Borno State to embed maternal health innovations within state frameworks.
- How Women are Harnessing Jordan’s Green Economy
Connecting women and young people to sustainable green economic pathways.
- Beyond Participation: Ensuring Women and Communities Lead Climate Resilience
Our new toolkit for applying a gender-transformative approach that ensures local communities lead climate solutions.
- EMPOWER Uganda: Transforming Lives, Strengthening Systems
Building resilient health systems alongside local leaders and health workers.
- The Pulse of Country-led Progress: A Conversation with Dr. Amina Dorayi
A candid conversation with our Regional Portfolio Director, West and Central Africa.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast The Springboard, now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Episode 3 coming soon.
