The Help Localisation Facility (HLF) is a programme in humanitarian assistance and a locally led fund, implemented jointly with local and international civil society actors. Together, we are developing new approaches to locally led, more equitable and partnership-based humanitarian action, in which decision-making power and control over resources increasingly rest with local and national actors. In doing so, we create the conditions for impactful, needs-based and sustainable support in crisis- and conflict-affected contexts.
The HLF is being piloted in Ukraine.
- Programme Period: November 2024 - December 2026
- Donor: German Federal Foreign Office
- Budget: 10 800 000.00 €
- Region: Ukraine
- Priority group: Local and national actors, population in vulnerable situations
Introducing the HLF – Local Leadership, Strong Partnerships
The HLF combines direct project funding with organisational capacity strengthening and civil society decision-making power. Local and international civil society actors jointly shape key processes and decisions – from the strategic direction of the fund and funding decisions to the continued development of the HLF model.
It strengthens local leadership and provides partner organisations with the resources and opportunities to further develop their organisational capacities and deliver effective, locally led and sustainable humanitarian assistance.
It is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented under the coordination of Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, in partnership with local and international civil society actors and networks. Aligned with the German Federal Foreign Office’s Strategy for Humanitarian Assistance Abroad, the HLF contributes to the implementation of Help’s Global Strategy and its related policies on empowerment and localisation.
The HLF is grounded in the core values of Partnership and Participation, as well as Respect and Trust. These values guide how we work and underpin our vision for a more locally led and equitable humanitarian system.
Our Vision
Together with local and international civil society actors, the Help Localisation Facility is building the foundations for a stronger, more locally led and more equitable humanitarian system. The HLF envisions a humanitarian system in which meaningful and trusting partnerships on equal terms help overcome power imbalances, the lived experience and expertise of local and national actors are recognised and respected, and local leadership and shared decision-making are firmly embedded.
The terms of participation and registration are available in the How to Apply section on our website.
Do not hesitate – register on time!
HLF Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our FAQs to learn more about the HLF, how it works and our funding process. Questions specific to a particular funding opportunity can be submitted once a new Call for Registration opens.
Q&A from Online Sessions
Download the Q&A from online sessions held during the HLF’s first Call for Registrations in Ukraine in 2025. Please note that the information reflects the requirements and processes applicable to that call.
Why was my organisation not selected?
These documents provide feedback to organisations that registered for the HLF Calls for Registrations but did not proceed to the HLF Dialogue Phase. They explain the main reasons why organisations did not move forward, helping to ensure transparency and accountability throughout this HLF selection process. For each new Calls for Registration in 2026 and 2027, a corresponding feedback document will be made available here once the selection process has been completed.
Voices of Civil Society Organisations
We gathered feedback from the civil society organisations that registered for the Help Localisation Facility. The document presents their perspectives on the transparency, clarity, and fairness of the HLF Registration and HLF Due Diligence Phases during the first Call for Registrations in 2025.
