The Help Localisation Programme (HLF) is a global initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office, funded by the Federal Foreign Office and implemented under the coordination of the German humanitarian organisation Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe.

It is in line with the German Federal Foreign Office’s strategy for humanitarian aid abroad and implements the main objectives of the global Help strategy as well as the related policy of empowerment and localisation.

Through the Localisation Programme, Help aims to set new standards for humanitarian assistance by focusing on the following key objectives:

▶ Building meaningful and equal partnerships with civil society organisations to address the power imbalance between international and local humanitarian organisations.

▶ Strengthening the participation of local organisations in humanitarian action, taking into account the needs and interests of communities. This includes empowering them with greater voice and responsibility.

▶ Providing flexible and demand-driven funding that minimises bureaucratic barriers and supports the capacity of local organisations.

The main objective of the HLF programme is to ensure that humanitarian projects are implemented directly by local partner organisations, which helps to accelerate the localisation of German humanitarian aid. This approach strengthens the capacity of local and national organisations by giving them more decision-making power.

The programme is based on two main principles:

▶ The Steering Committee, which includes Christian Aid, People in Need in Ukraine and Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, among others, shapes the overall strategy of the HLF Localisation Programme, defines the framework of the innovative funding instrument and participates in its development.

▶ The Granting Committee makes specific decisions on project funding. Half of its members are representatives of Ukrainian civil society organisations. The committee includes: Alliance UA CSO, NGO Resource Centre, Ukrainian Local Pooled Fund, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe.

The HLF funding instrument not only provides access to stable and adaptive funding for local organisations, but also invests in the development of their institutional capacities. This allows them to respond more effectively to complex humanitarian challenges.

As of now, at least 20 local organisations have received funding from HLF. Help acts as a facilitator of the process, supporting partners in implementing projects, strengthening their capacities, and ensuring compliance with funding principles and international quality standards.