Empowering Localization: USAID/Nepal’s Transformative “Localization Week”

To achieve its ambitious localization goals, USAID/Nepal recognized the need to intentionally change the way of doing business, which included reexamining resources, policies, and processes to support localization goals. But this new localization approach was faced with several challenges. In late 2023, USAID/Nepal documented its change management journey implementing Agency priorities like localization, DEIA, and FSN empowerment. What that assessment revealed was that the Mission staff felt overwhelmed and had moved from initial enthusiasm for these new priorities into what was termed “a valley of despair” – an emotional reaction to the intense and fast moving changes that included fear, anger, resistance, and doubt about the path the Mission was taking. In an effort to tackle the challenges the Mission was facing, the program office organized a “Localization Week” in an attempt to capture all the Mission’s accomplishments to date and reviving staff's enthusiasm for localization and the new way of "doing business.” This five-day event was structured to foster collaboration, facilitate learning, and promote adaptation through various activities. The diverse range of topics covered during the week provided a comprehensive understanding of localization principles and practical strategies for implementation. As a result of this exercise, Mission staff now have a better understanding of everything the Mission has accomplished, are more aware of our pain points, and are collaborating on solutions for our most pressing challenges. We have now exited from the valley of despair and have created a more realistic vision for localization in the coming years.