localization labs
Somalia Localisation Lab
Overview
The Somalia Localisation Lab was established in 2025 to advance locally led humanitarian and development action across Somalia and Somaliland.
The Lab convenes national and sub-national Somali NGOs, networks, and practitioners to shift power, resources, and decision-making closer to communities affected by crisis. It provides a safe, structured space for dialogue, collective problem-solving, and coordinated advocacy on localisation commitments.
The Lab is convened by Nexus Consortium Somalia, a Somali-led platform bringing together local NGOs and partners working across humanitarian response, climate resilience, food systems, education, and governance.
The Lab is co-convened by three Somali civil society organisations: HAVOYOCO representing Somaliland, Agency for Resilience Initiative Network (ARIN) representing Puntland, and Action Against Disasters Somalia (AADSOM) representing South and Central Somalia.
Abbas Sheikh
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Movement Building
Movement Building
The Somalia Localization Lab strengthens collective voice and solidarity among Somali local and national NGOs by:
Convening regular in-person and virtual dialogues
Building shared understanding of localization, power shift, and equitable partnerships
Supporting local leadership narratives in national and global spaces
Creating a trusted platform for peer exchange and mutual accountability
The Lab emphasizes inclusion of women-led, youth-led, and community-rooted organisations across Somalia’s diverse regions.
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Building Bridges
Bridges
The Lab actively bridges gaps between: Local NGOs and INGOs, Civil society and donors, Practitioners and policy spaces, Somalia and regional/global localisation efforts.
This is done through structured convenings, joint learning sessions, and facilitated dialogue aimed at reducing mistrust, improving partnership practices, and aligning global commitments with country realities.
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Solutions
Solutions
The Somalia Localisation Lab develops practical, context-specific solutions, including:
Country-level localisation action points
Improved partnership principles and practices
Tools for tracking localisation commitments
Approaches for direct funding, pooled mechanisms, and shared risk
Support to locally led responses in climate resilience, anticipatory action, and food systems
The Lab focuses on what works in Somalia, rather than importing one-size-fits-all models.
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Learning
Learning
Learning is central to the Lab’s approach. The Lab:
Documents lessons from Somali-led responses
Encourages honest reflection on challenges and failures
Shares learning across NEAR Labs regionally and globally
Supports members to engage confidently in policy and donor discussions
Learning outputs are designed to be practical, accessible, and locally owned.
The lab is connected to other NEAR Labs in Africa. It is actively contributing to regional and global NEAR learning spaces.