Embracing Locally-Led Development: A Path to Advancing Indigenous-Led Economic Development
In recent years, the international development landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with aid agencies and private foundations increasingly adopting locally-led development principles. This movement, spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and embraced by a number of private philanthropic organizations, represents a departure from traditional models of development that often relied on external expertise. Instead, it promotes the idea that local communities are best positioned to understand their needs and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
As someone who has worked extensively in the fields of international development and Indigenous economic advancement, I see the adoption of locally-led development as a pivotal moment in rethinking how governments and foundations can support Indigenous-led economic growth. By embracing these principles, we have the opportunity to forge more equitable and impactful funding relationships that truly empower Indigenous communities to take control of their own economic futures.
The Locally-Led Development Movement
The Locally-Led Development Initiative from USAID is rooted in a simple yet profound belief: local actors should be the primary decision-makers in development processes. This approach acknowledges that long-term success cannot be achieved through externally imposed solutions but must come from within the communities themselves. Many private foundations, including some of the largest in the world, are now incorporating this philosophy into their grantmaking and program development.
At RBM Strategies, we’ve long advocated for approaches that prioritize community leadership and place Indigenous voices at the center of decision-making. Locally-led development offers a framework that aligns closely with the values of Indigenous self-determination, sovereignty, and stewardship that have guided Indigenous peoples for generations.
How Locally-Led Development Can Support Indigenous-Led Economic Development
For Indigenous communities, locally-led development is not a new concept—it is an extension of long-held traditions of governance, resource management, and economic development. However, structural barriers have often prevented Indigenous communities from fully realizing their economic potential. The adoption of locally-led principles by governments and foundations presents a unique opportunity to break down these barriers and support Indigenous-led economic growth in meaningful ways.
Here are three critical ways that these principles can inform new funding relationships between governments, foundations, and Indigenous communities:
1. Empowering Indigenous Leadership
At its core, locally-led development emphasizes that solutions must come from the community itself. For Indigenous economic development, this means placing Indigenous leadership at the forefront of decision-making. Governments and foundations must recognize the expertise and vision within Indigenous communities and allow them to set their own priorities and define their own success.
This shift can be facilitated through funding mechanisms that directly support Indigenous-led organizations, allowing them to design, implement, and lead their own economic development initiatives. Foundations and government agencies should act as partners in these efforts, rather than dictating terms or outcomes.
2. Implementing Flexible, Long-Term Funding Models
Economic development within Indigenous communities is not a short-term endeavor. It requires patience, trust, and long-term investment. Traditional funding models, often characterized by rigid timelines and prescriptive outcomes, can inhibit the kind of adaptive and community-driven approach necessary for sustainable development.
Governments and foundations should embrace more flexible, multi-year funding arrangements that allow for community-driven change at a pace determined by Indigenous leaders themselves. This flexibility will create space for innovation and enable Indigenous communities to adapt their strategies as conditions evolve.
3. Building Equitable Partnerships Based on Trust
True locally-led development is not possible without equitable partnerships. Historically, Indigenous communities have been the recipients of externally-driven development programs that have often failed to account for their cultural values and governance structures. This must change. New funding relationships should be based on trust, mutual respect, and a genuine sharing of power.
At RBM Strategies, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of trust in building lasting, impactful partnerships. Governments and foundations must invest time and resources in developing deep, trust-based relationships with Indigenous nations and organizations, ensuring that power imbalances are addressed, and that Indigenous knowledge and governance structures are respected.
A New Era for Indigenous-Led Development
The shift towards locally-led development presents a remarkable opportunity to reimagine how governments and foundations engage with Indigenous communities. By adopting these principles, we can build stronger, more equitable funding relationships that support long-term, sustainable economic growth, driven by the aspirations and expertise of Indigenous peoples.
The principles of locally-led development resonate with the deeply held values of Indigenous communities: self-determination, stewardship, and sovereignty. Now, we have the opportunity to embrace those values, not just in theory but in practice, by creating funding models that empower Indigenous leadership, provide the flexibility necessary for long-term success, and foster genuine partnerships based on trust.
At RBM Strategies, we are committed to working with governments, foundations, and Indigenous communities to advance this vision and to build a future where Indigenous-led economic development is not just supported but celebrated.
