13. August 2026

New institutional partnerships

Within the framework of institutional collaboration, Somaha Foundation focuses on the joint development of interventions for specific challenges, including investments in conceptual foundations and structures. The following partnerships were newly established or continued:

Partnership with WATER FOR WATER

Somaha Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with WATER FOR WATER (WfW) on the theme people in need. In the joint The Interdependent Autonomy Lab project, WfW is developing a new way of international cooperation grounded in shared leadership, cross-pollination, and local value creation. Building on Somaha's Localization Model, the project deepens WfW's organizational transformation across countries and develops practical approaches to embed localization for the long term. The experiences gained are systematically captured, documented, and distilled in the open-access Interdependent Autonomy Hub. Building on these insights, WfW develops a Knowledge Toolkit that provides international NGOs with practical tools and insights to advance their own localization processes.

WfW is committed to a fair and sustainable use of water resources. Active in Switzerland, Zambia, and Mozambique, the organization pursues entrepreneurial, social, and ecological approaches to promote equitable and professionally managed water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.

Although localization is gaining increasing importance in international cooperation, many organizations still struggle to embed it sustainably within their own structures and processes. The project addresses this challenge by strengthening locally led organizational structures and thereby creating the foundation for long-term and lasting localization and thus, transforming the development sector.

Further information about the project and the new funding partner can be found on the WATER FOR WATER website.

Continuation of the partnership with Terre des hommes

Somaha Foundation is extending its partnership with Terre des hommes (Tdh) on the theme of people in need. Since 2022, the partnership has supported the institutional advancement of localization within Tdh. Building on the achievements of the first project phase, the new project, Strengthening National Leadership, aims to accelerate national leadership developing replicable localization pathways in five pilot countries and transfer a locally led global knowledge hub that strengthens NGO organizational practice at scale.

In the new project phase, Tdh applies differentiated but complementary localization and organizational development (OD) models depending on the country context. In Iraq and Greece, the project will support the full localization and the responsible exit of Terre des hommes’ direct service implementation. In Albania and Nepal, it will support a progressive direct disengagement model whilst strengthening partner autonomy. In Nigeria and Lebanon where access to funding and systems remains uneven, Tdh will operate as a technical intermediary, supporting local NGOs in progressively assuming leadership roles.

The new phase will also further strengthen, scale, and sustainably transition LocalLink Hub as a global knowledge platform supporting the organizational development of local NGOs. Its e-learning offer will be expanded with new learning formats, additional language options, and resources on topics such as governance, policy design, fundraising, safeguarding, and leadership. Beyond the content development, the long-term sustainability will be prioritized by redesigning its operational and economic model and preparing a responsible handover to a capable local NGO-led structure.

Further information on the funding partner can be found on the website of Terre des hommes.