How donors can promote equitable partnerships

The demand for system change in the international relief sector is increasing. Local actors in aid-recipient countries but also many individuals working in international relief agencies, want to see an end to the structures and behaviours of inequality, and a system that enables much more equitable inclusion of many local actors. Operational international agencies argue that donors prevent this from happening with their policies, procedures and requirements. Donors on the other hand state that it is the international relief agencies (UN, INGOs, but also private contractors) who are unwilling or unable to change. This paper provides practical tips but also questions for reflection for institutional donors, in the first place public aid administrations and some private foundations. The full paper is richly referenced; for a quick grasp of the key points, see the executive summary. Full report and the Executive summary.