Supporting locally led humanitarian research through flexible funding, trust-based partnerships and independent evidence generation.
It supports research that strengthens humanitarian policy and practice in contexts affected by protracted crises, climate shocks and complex emergencies.
Convened by Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) through the Humanitarian Horizons research program, with support from the Broad Reach Foundation, ALLIES draws on global approaches that prioritise local and community-led knowledge systems, as well as HAG’s long-standing research and partnerships with local organisations.
Local and national research organisations generate critical evidence for humanitarian action but often face restrictive funding, administrative burdens and limited opportunities to shape research agendas and influence policy.
Humanitarian research funding and proposal processes also tend to favour well-resourced international institutions. Lengthy, highly technical applications, short timelines and complex compliance requirements can unintentionally exclude local and national organisations from accessing research funding.
ALLIES responds to these challenges through a partner-centred, accessible approach. It provides flexible, trust-based research grants alongside optional technical, learning and communications support, while reducing administrative barriers through a streamlined application process and simplified grant management.
Partners learn with and from each other through practical, peer-driven learning and reflection across contexts.
Grant arrangements are designed to be flexible and to allow partners to manage resources in ways that best support their research.
Optional, partner-led technical support is available where useful, shaped by partners’ priorities and focused on strengthening research processes, outputs, and influence.
The process captures partners’ insights and reflections throughout the program, placing their experiences and feedback at the centre of learning and continuous improvement.
The approach builds on lessons from diverse contexts and the Knowledge and Evidence series developed through the previous Humanitarian Horizons research program (2021–24).
NSDation, Syria
This research explores how local actors in Syria understand and integrate environmental considerations into humanitarian response, recovery and preparedness.
Focusing on priority areas such as water management and energy use, it examines whether environmental integration is driven by local priorities, donor influence, community action or structural constraints.
The project will generate practical, evidence-based insights to inform humanitarian agencies, local authorities and Syrian NGOs.
Humanitarian Solutions Hub, India
This research examines how the humanitarian system can transition towards greener approaches by exploring how responses are planned, managed and delivered by local, national and international organisations across the Asia-Pacific region.
It investigates existing environmental initiatives, identifies structural and institutional barriers to their adoption, and develops evidence-based recommendations to support sector-wide transformation.
The research will inform practical approaches for embedding environmental standards across humanitarian programming, procurement systems and donor accountability mechanisms, contributing to a more sustainable and climate-responsive humanitarian sector.
GLOW Consultants, Pakistan
This research examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping locally led humanitarian action by exploring how local and national actors use AI tools in their everyday operations, including communication, reporting, fundraising, dissemination, beneficiary targeting and community feedback analysis.
While global discussions on AI in humanitarian action often focus on international agencies, there is limited evidence on how local actors are adopting and adapting these tools in resource-constrained and compliance-heavy environments.
Through a case study in Pakistan, this research will explore whether AI strengthens local leadership, improves efficiency, shifts power dynamics or introduces new risks.
The findings will inform responsible AI governance and practical guidance for the humanitarian sector.
inSights, Bangladesh
The SHAKIN study is a participatory inquiry into the lived experiences of families affected by riverbank erosion in Bangladesh.
Working with around 50 displaced households, the study explores how repeated erosion reshapes livelihoods, gender roles, social identity and resilience.
It documents community coping mechanisms, adaptation strategies and gaps in institutional support to generate practical evidence.
The findings will inform locally led recovery models, strengthen women’s leadership and community agency, and support the integration of erosion-induced displacement into national disaster management and social protection frameworks.
