What can we learn from locally led experiences in Sudan?

  While it is easy to say that partnership is a two-way process, this is not so easy to implement in practice. Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) wish to respect partners’ agency and recognise the inherent power imbalances that exist in a partnership relationship. Having worked in self-implementing inte...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kari Eliassen-Viejo, Sian Olwen Rowbotham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Geographical Society of Finland 2025-06-01
Series:Fennia: International Journal of Geography
Online Access:https://fennia.journal.fi/article/view/162748
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Summary:  While it is easy to say that partnership is a two-way process, this is not so easy to implement in practice. Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) wish to respect partners’ agency and recognise the inherent power imbalances that exist in a partnership relationship. Having worked in self-implementing international non-governmental organisations, we’ve seen firsthand how traditional aid models can sometimes sideline local knowledge and reinforce Western-dominated narratives. That’s why we value the model that NPA champions. We are actively challenging those imbalances by prioritising local leadership, amplifying community voices and shifting from a model of imposition to one of genuine collaboration. It’s not just a different approach; it’s a necessary correction in a sector that has struggled to adhere to the values of anti-colonialism, independence and participation.
ISSN:1798-5617