Working locally to deliver solutions
Global Support Link (GSL) has been working for twelve years on international development projects in Cameroon, Nepal and India. Our method of operation is to work with local organisations to deliver change where it is needed. We strongly believe that local people know best what their communities need. Our role is help them achieve their objectives whilst offering support and advice from our experiences elsewhere.
In times gone past, projects overseas may have been specified, designed and carried out under the direct control of an international organisation. This is the so called “White gaze” or “white saviour” mentality. Our local colleagues will never learn how to carry out things for themselves if they are not consulted and just told what to do all the time. In contrast, GSL has always worked with local partners to carry out projects. We bring our expertise from working in other countries to help local NGOs deliver change in their communities themselves. Our role includes:
Assisting an NGO to have a strategic plan with clear priorities set. It is important that the NGO determines the projects and priorities so that they take ownership.
In looking at the strategic plan we ensure that national, international and funding organisations’ requirements are being met.
We help training NGOs so that staff learn to set objectives and accept responsibilities. There is a change to effect from a hierarchical, patriarchal system to one where people are empowered to get on with their work.
We help our colleagues to set up effective processes and procedures to run their organisation and projects. As part of this we encourage NGOs to have a clear organisational structure, with roles and responsibilities well defined
We ensure that our friends have sound financial control systems in place. We place a great deal of emphasis on this as it forms an important part of the Monitoring and Evaluation process
We encourage and help NGOs to carry out their own fundraising and we only act, if necessary, as intermediaries in front of funders.
“Facilitate and Educate”
In conclusion, GSL’s role is one of facilitation, education and assisting organisations to effectively carry out the work that they know is best for their communities.
