Who we are

A movement rooted in community

We are a movement of local and national civil society organisations (CSOs) from the Global South, rooted in our communities, who are transforming aid through the collective power of the Global South.

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What we do

Building fairer, more locally led ecosystems

NEAR – together with our members and allies – is building fairer, more locally led ecosystems – grounded in trust, powered by courage, and driven by the belief that lasting change is possible.

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Our Approach

How we do it

Movement Building

With more than 300 local and national civil society organisations in 40+ countries, NEAR is leading a movement anchored in local leadership and ownership. Harnessing our combined power and collective voice, we are building a world where communities have the resources and agency to shape their own futures. Through our Localisation Labs, members share solutions, collaborate across borders, and support one another as our movement continues to grow into an undeniable force.

Influencing

We leverage our collective power to shape policies, funding, and structures, influencing the global agenda and fortifying the Global South’s leadership. From direct engagement with donors and institutions, to setting the policy agenda, to speaking on the world’s biggest stages, we ensure local leaders are not just in the room – but at the decision-making table.

Solutions

We don’t just demand change – we model it. From locally-led financing mechanisms to community-driven best practices, we’re designing, co-creating and incubating effective tools to operationalise localisation. We’re proving that local leaders have the bold vision and deep experience to create solutions that best suit their communities.

Learning

NEAR learns with our members, evaluating what works, what doesn’t, and why, so our movement can adapt and grow. By listening deeply, analysing critically, and sharing openly, we fuel smarter strategies, stronger partnerships, and effective systems change. We hold ourselves accountable to the same standards we expect of the international system: data-led, transparent, and continuously improving.