Geneva | October 2026

Tamdeen Youth Foundation (TYF), in its capacity as the host organization of the Yemen Localisation Initiative and the Yemen National Reference Group (NRG), participated in the National Reference Group workshop held in Geneva. The workshop brought together National Reference Group leaders from around the world and was facilitated by the NEAR Network as part of efforts to advance localization and strengthen the leadership role of local organizations in humanitarian action.

The workshop provided a space to exchange experiences, discuss the challenges facing localization efforts, and bring the voices and experiences of Yemeni frontline responders into international discussions. It focused on accountability priorities and strengthening the participation of local actors in shaping humanitarian policies and decisions, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Grand Bargain.

The discussions emphasized the importance of moving beyond merely involving local organizations in humanitarian dialogue and enabling them to have a meaningful influence on decision-making, the setting of response priorities, and the assessment of outcomes. This should be grounded in evidence and field experiences and reflect the actual needs of affected communities.

During the evening session, which brought together leaders of the Grand Bargain working groups and representatives of National Reference Groups, the discussions highlighted the importance of addressing the gap between the headquarters of international organizations and their country offices, as well as strengthening decentralization in decision-making. This would enable national and local organizations to play a genuine leadership role in humanitarian emergency planning and in setting response priorities at the national level.

These discussions reflect the need to translate international commitments on localization into tangible institutional practices based on more equitable partnerships, a more balanced distribution of authority and responsibilities, and stronger accountability to affected communities.

Tamdeen Youth Foundation reaffirms its continued efforts to support the localization agenda in Yemen, strengthen the presence of national organizations in international dialogue and decision-making platforms, and work with partners to promote local leadership and develop more equitable and sustainable humanitarian partnerships. These efforts aim to ensure that the priorities and needs of affected communities remain at the heart of the humanitarian response.

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