Local-Global Coordination for Impact
Our global-level exploration looks at ways to leverage the power of network approaches to inform the solution to global challenges and generate a critical mass of coordinated efforts that lead to larger, more sustainable impact.
What We Do
Global or transnational challenges are typically addressed through institutional setups such as committees, conferences of parties, communities of practice, or multistakeholder groups, all based on representation and thematic expertise. However, these well-intentioned efforts can involuntarily reinforce existing power dynamics, becoming susceptible to capture by particular interests or plainly weakened, leading to shortcomings in implementation and impact, which in turn reduce confidence in those processes.
Moreover, such participatory mechanisms are typically limited to consultation or the approval of projects or plans, without engaging people in implementation or in driving meaningful reforms. This fails to build ownership or strengthen agency in the development process.
Our Local-Global Coordination exploration examines the potential of network approaches to governance, in combination with institutional ones.
Excluding people from the development process is not only unethical—it is a missed opportunity for society. When people are denied the chance to actively engage in positive change, we lose the benefit of their ideas and contributions.
This exclusion deepens the trust deficit, weakens social cohesion, and erodes the social contract.
The challenge lies in creating channels for meaningful engagement—spaces where contextually informed ideas can emerge and influence how development challenges are addressed. These channels should connect ideas to opportunities, allowing key stakeholders to take action.
The initiatives we propose below are all experimental in nature and co-created with partners in response to existing gaps in governance and implementation. Some of them will grow, evolve, and become their own programs led by people and organizations that can make change happen. Others will phase out if not enough interest and ownership is generated. In both cases, however, we take an active role in learning from the process, for the benefit of the global and local governance community.
The initiatives are intended to explore and demonstrate the potential of a different approach to governance that is context and problem driven. Over time, new initiatives under the Governance Action Hub are to be driven entirely by organizations at the forefront of the issues addressed.
Our Initiatives
To engage more voices in governance processes, we need to work with and through partners that have diverse roles and priorities in governance systems. We have identified two key aspects that are particularly useful for sparking conversations about new approaches to governance.
The Governance Explorers’ Network
You’re not alone in believing that governance can be done differently. Connect with like-minded changemakers, and let’s create solutions together.
The Climate Justice Initiative
The global climate system should work for both people and the planet. We support emerging and established coalitions in the...
The State Capture Collaborative
We now have a clearer understanding of state capture. Let’s strategize, leverage data and evidence, and take action to reclaim governance.