Together We Stand

[ 97 ] ronments. There are examples of new partnership strategies, such as ‘project brokering,’ which involves a third party in establishing working relationships between different part- ners. However this creates an inorganic and commercial element which is contrary to the ethical standards of the development and humanitarian assistance fields. It also raises several questions regarding whether these partner- ships are sustainable if a third party is required to establish cooperation. Partnerships require close working relation- ships to best determine the need, success and sustainability of programming on the ground. Naturally, the scope and capacities of INGOs and local actors differ, but it is necessary to acknowledge the opportunity for complementary partnerships so as to approach development and humanitarian assistance in a holistic manner. However local actors’ partnerships with INGOs are not necessarily based on mutual trust and integrity. International devel- opment efforts will benefit from the understanding that all partnerships are unique and based on the context and envi- ronment. The first step is to adapt programming based on the input of local actors, requiring more community account- ability in the implementation of programmes. INGOS should capitalize on and acknowledge the experiences and capacities of the local actors as development is more successful when the dialogue includes local voices. Further, by empowering local actors to play a greater role in project design and allowing more flexibility and decision-making in project implemen- tation, INGOs are sharing responsibility and accountability. This capacity-building and empowerment also plays a part in the relationships among local actors. NNGOs and CBOs have a duty to work with one another, and engage in infor- mation sharing with smaller local organizations and CBOs so a more cohesive and holistic plan can be developed. Strong partnerships between NNGOs and CBOs can also smooth emergency response processes through the conduction of needs assessments, comprehensive pre-mapping and situ- ational awareness. Despite the benefit of including these local actors, their contributions are often overlooked or simply excluded due to practical oversights such as lack of translation of INGO materials into the national language and working groups being conducted in a foreign language, such as English. Addressing these issues would improve the coor- dination and impact of interventions. Larger NNGOs can help build the capacities of smaller NNGOs and CBOs through developing CBO networks. This serves to strengthen local civil society. Network- building has been a long-standing goal throughout our own work at ARDD-Legal Aid. CBO involvement is central to the projects we implement, to maximize reach and impact. Through these projects we can work to train civil society members about international human rights and development standards, and through their experiences we are able to gain a deeper understanding of how these concepts are understood in a local context. It is mutually beneficial as ARDD-Legal Aid provides an opportunity for capacity-building and skills development for CBOs, and CBOs provide a learning experience for ARDD-Legal Aid. Ultimately such collaborations and partnerships lead to a strengthened civil society that can create meaningful and sustainable change for the future, which is especially Image: Shaima Anabtawi, ARDD-Legal Aid An ARDD-Legal Aid director speaking with the Al Amal Women’s Association in Baqaa Palestinian Refugee Camp in Baqaa, Jordan T ogether W e S tand