by Degan Ali and Valeria Geremia
This blog is an official launch of the NEAR Delegates Programme. With this programme and through our members we are building a network of empowered local leaders who will shape policy conversations, influence aid decisions, and redefine what meaningful participation looks like.
A Lone Southern Voice in a Crowded Room (Degan reflects on the last decade)
There was a lot of pressure that was put on me, both by the Global North and the Global South, and it was unnecessary. I was constantly being put in this position of being the sole tokenistic Global South voice for everybody, and that's really hard to do.
At the World Humanitarian Summit, I found myself in a difficult position, being one of the only ones who was ready to shift the power and speak up about uncomfortable topics. As leader of Adeso and a founder of NEAR, many times I was the only representative from the Global South in high-stake spaces where critical decisions about humanitarian aid and development were being made.
I never wanted to be the only voice, but for many years I was. The vision was (and is) a movement, a collective force powerful enough to dismantle old structures.
Slowly, that movement has taken shape. NEAR’s Leadership Council members and NEAR’s Secretariat gradually joined me in representation, strengthening this collective and unified voice.
For many years, I was seen as the face of NEAR, and I was really happy when we started expanding our representatives. It relieved a huge burden for me from being the only face or voice of the Global South.
Empowering Local Leadership: The NEAR Delegates Programme
For too long, global humanitarian decision-making has been controlled by a small group of powerful voices, while local actors—the very people living the realities these policies impact—have been left out of the conversation. The NEAR Delegates Programme is designed to change this dynamic.
This initiative shifts advocacy and representation from traditional gatekeepers to those working on the frontlines: local leaders, community-driven organisations, and those directly impacted by global policies.
By 2027, NEAR aims for our members to be the leading voices at global gatherings and multi-stakeholder processes, ensuring that their insights, experiences, and solutions drive decision-making, not just decorate it.
More Than a Seat at the Table—A Redefinition of Leadership
We recognise that true change can only happen through collective leadership and shared responsibility.
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For NEAR to be a truly membership-based organisation and not a secretariat-led organisation, it’s important that the voices advocating for NEAR’s issues be represented by our members.
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The Delegates Programme isn’t just about representation; it’s about transforming leadership. NEAR isn’t centralising power in a secretariat or a few chosen figures. Instead, it’s building a network of empowered local leaders who will shape policy conversations, influence aid decisions, and redefine what meaningful participation looks like.
A Movement Rooted in Action
The NEAR Delegates Programme is all about action and impact. Delegates will take on key roles in:
Speaking at Global Forums: Amplifying local voices in high-stakes discussions.
Shaping Policy: Collaborating with donors, international organisations, and policymakers to influence humanitarian policies.
Building Networks: Strengthening ties between local actors and global decision-makers.
Mentoring Future Leaders: Passing knowledge and skills to the next cohorts, ensuring continuity and sustainability.
But it’s not just about shaping global conversations—it’s also about building skills, influence, and opportunities.
The members get an opportunity to hone their public speaking, networking, representation and their advocacy skills. They start developing a network for their institution as well. They develop a profile for themselves and their work—not just for NEAR, but for their own organisations - an additional benefit.
The Future We Are Building
The NEAR Delegates Programme is a call to move beyond discussions about localisation and make it a reality. It’s an opportunity to reimagine what global leadership looks like - one where those most affected by humanitarian crises are at the forefront of designing the solutions.
Through this initiative, NEAR is investing in local voices, ensuring that leadership isn’t dictated by geography or funding, but by expertise, experience, and the ability to drive real change. Delegates won’t just participate in global discussions; they will shape them, influencing policy, challenging outdated models, and championing advocacy that puts communities first.
By supporting and amplifying multiple voices to join the collective voice, many can share their experiences to reshape the global humanitarian landscape. This takes the pressure off of the few and uplifts more local voices from the Global South – strengthening our collective voice—one Delegate at a time.
Degan Ali is Executive Director of Adeso and is on NEAR’s Leadership Council. Degan co-founded NEAR and was its leader at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit. Her advocacy to funnel humanitarian funds to local actors helped spur the “Grand Bargain” 25% commitment. For more than a decade, she has been a thought leader and leading voice in localisation and decolonisation of aid. Degan is a mentor shaping the Delegates Programme at NEAR.
Valeria Geremia is NEAR’s Network Influencing Coordinator and joined NEAR in August 2024. Valeria brings extensive expertise in coordinating civil society networks and elevating local organisations’ role in policy discussions and advocacy. She leads the Delegates Programme within NEAR’s Secretariat.