The Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO), in partnership with Oxfam and AIDA, and funded by the OPT Humanitarian Fund (OPT HF), has released a study titled “Partnerships Between Local and International NGOs in Palestine: A Review of the Overall Landscape.” The study comes as part of ongoing efforts to promote more effective and equitable humanitarian and development partnerships in the Palestinian context.
The study is set against a highly complex humanitarian and development environment, shaped by the impacts of the Israeli occupation, shrinking civic space, and funding constraints, all of which directly affect the nature, effectiveness, and sustainability of partnerships between local and international organizations.
The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach, including surveys, in-depth interviews, and case studies. It covered the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem, with broad participation from both local and international organizations.
Findings indicate that transactional and implementation-based partnerships remain the dominant model, while strategic partnerships based on shared decision-making, resource allocation, and risk-sharing remain limited. The study also highlights gaps in transparency and accountability practices, imbalances in power relations between partners, and challenges related to institutional funding and local capacity strengthening.
In addition, the study underscores differing interpretations of the concept of “localization.” International organizations tend to view it as a gradual improvement within existing frameworks, whereas local organizations see it as a fundamental shift toward genuine local leadership in decision-making and resource management.
The study presents a set of practical recommendations for international and local organizations, as well as donors, focusing on strengthening joint governance, increasing core funding for local organizations, and enhancing mutual accountability mechanisms. These measures aim to foster more equitable, effective, and sustainable partnerships.
PNGO emphasizes that this study serves as both a knowledge and practical tool to support efforts toward the localization of humanitarian action and to strengthen the role of national NGOs in leading humanitarian work, in a way that better responds to the needs of Palestinian communities and enhances the quality and sustainability of interventions
