A Critique of Localisation as a Form of Decolonisation

This report presents an evaluative comparison of the Grand Bargain, Charter for Change and Pledge for Change. While our work at Christian Aid supports localising development, it faces uncertainty around the relationship between localisation and decolonisation in aid. 

Many in the sector feel overwhelmed by localisation, doubting the necessity of additional processes without a clear understanding of their interconnection. Hence, this paper, which explores the localisation-decolonisation nexus and critically evaluates the Grand Bargain, Charter for Change and Pledge for Change sought to respond to this question: 'How can Christian Aid decolonise our programming so that communities determine what development is needed?'

This research is driven by a commitment to challenging structural inequalities in the humanitarian and development sector whilst remaining reflexive about our role in knowledge production. It was conducted by a team of three female academics with backgrounds in international development and humanitarian studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

This report solely represents the authors’ views and not those of Christian Aid and its partners or the London School of Economics and Political Science.