Locally led anticipatory action in fragile and conflict-affected settings
Our policy papers demonstrate that locally led anticipatory action (LLAA) is both feasible and effective in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS).
LLAA offers a practical approach that advances multiple complementary agendas including climate adaptation, localisation, protection, anticipatory action and wider humanitarian reform.
Evidence from DEC-supported initiatives in Lebanon and Palestine shows how local organisations and communities can identify emerging risks, interpret changing conditions, adapt actions, maintain access and generate practical learning in highly complex environments. The key question is no longer whether local actors can lead anticipatory action, but whether financing, partnership, compliance and decision-making systems enable them to do so effectively, consistently and at scale.
The evidence suggests that many barriers to scaling LLAA are now systemic rather than technical. Local actors often possess the relationships, contextual knowledge and capabilities required to lead, but remain constrained by systems that limit local decision-making authority, flexibility and long-term investment.
Together, these three papers set out the case for enabling inclusive local anticipatory ecosystems and provides practical recommendations for different stakeholders:
- How locally led anticipatory action in fragile and conflict-affected settings advances the Climate and Environment Charter commitments: An Alignment Framework
- Anticipating tomorrow, together – learning from local leadership: A donor agenda for enabling locally led anticipatory action in fragile and conflict-affected settings
- Locally led anticipatory action in fragile and conflict-affected settings: Recommendations for the Disasters Emergency Committee and member agencies
The papers draw on learning from locally led anticipatory action initiatives implemented by Amel Association, Association Najdeh, Basmeh & Zeitooneh, the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) and the Palestine Agricultural Development Association (PARC), with support from DEC member agencies including CAFOD, Christian Aid and Age International.
