2. December 2025

New findings from the funding partnerships

As part of its funding activities, Somaha Foundation together with its funding partners share new findings from joint projects with the public.

1) Terre des Hommes – Funding model report

As part of the partnership between Terres des hommes, PeaceNexus and Somaha Foundation a joint learning report was published: Putting More Resources in Local Hands: Funding Models for Localization. The report identifies practical and scalable models for funding localization, i.e., how local actors can gain better access to resources and be strengthened in the long term.

The report identifies three interconnected funding models: raising higher net unrestricted income, exerting greater influence on institutional funder policies, and institutional strengthening of local actors. These approaches are intended to enable local organizations to act more independently, plan resources for the long term, and play a stronger role in decision-making processes.

Localization can only succeed if funding models and cooperation in the sector are developed jointly and local actors are given the necessary space to pursue their own strategies.

The complete Report is available here: Funding model report.

2) Helvetas - Knowledge Series: Urban governance

The fifth knowledge product on Urban governance has been published as part of the Moving Governance Program.

With urban populations growing rapidly strengthening urban governance – how cities are planned, managed and financed – is more important than ever not only to manage urban growth but to ensure that cities are inclusive, resilient and equitable.

The publication illustrates Helvetas approach to urban governance through three examples:

Tanzania: In Singida, the Sauti na Nafasi project strengthens the relation between residents and authorities. Through social accountability monitoring committees' residents are able to track public resources, engage directly with officials and influence local development.
Bolivia: The City Observatory in Sucre analyses data and provides reliable information for transparent, evidence-based planning.
Nepal: The Urban Futurescape – Hamro Sahar project strengthens collaboration between municipalities and community-based organizations, ensuring that community perspectives feed directly into Nepal’s formal planning process.

These examples show that good urban governance is not only based on technical solutions, but on trust, transparency, and the willingness of authorities to promote dialogue-oriented and participatory working methods.

The complete Report is available here: Urban Governance.

Information about other Somaha knowledge products is available on the Somaha website under Activity.