Central Sahel is facing one of the most complex humanitarian crises, with local organizations playing a crucial frontline role in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance. The PARTAGE project, implemented by INTERSOS in partnership with national and international actors, and with the support of the European Union, was established to support these local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), strengthening their capacity to operate in complex, high-risk environments marked by numerous security challenges. The initiative aims to recognize local actors as genuine strategic partners, promoting humanitarian responses that are both principled and locally led.
In November, a global webinar co-organized by INTERSOS and ICVA brought together key stakeholders to share lessons learned from the PARTAGE project. The discussion highlighted the imbalance of resources, underlining the necessity and value of the project. Local CSOs operate on the frontlines but face much higher security risks, often without «tools, funding, or even dedicated skills,» as stated by Dr. Elmehdi Ag Wakina, President of PONAH (Platform of National Humanitarian NGOs in Mali) and Program Director of the NGO AMSS. This situation is further compounded by the fact that the most serious incidents in the field «targeted exclusively local actors,» as noted by Giulia Boni, INTERSOS Localisation Advisor, demonstrating the scope and seriousness of this challenge. PARTAGE was therefore conceived to fill this gap and promote fairer and more effective collaboration.
One of the main outcomes of PARTAGE is the creation of a microsite, called the “NGO Security Toolbox.” This practical resource is designed to help local NGOs integrate security risk management into their day-to-day operations. The tools on the microsite are available to organization staff, particularly security officers and focal points, as well as program personnel; it can also be used offline in areas with limited connectivity and is adapted to the operational and organizational contexts of Central Sahel. By providing ready-to-use resources, it allows organizations to save time and implement effective security measures without starting from scratch.
Among the main tools available on the microsite is the security risk management budget tool, designed to address a widespread gap: over 62% of local CSOs report insufficient budgets dedicated to security. The tool supports organizations in analyzing risks and defining appropriate measures, helping them estimate and organize security-related costs and integrate these expenses into annual budgets and project proposals. It also facilitates coordination between finance and logistics teams, ensuring alignment of budgets with operational needs and donor requirements.
Beyond the development of practical tools, PARTAGE promotes peer-to-peer collaboration, skills strengthening, and leadership development through initiatives such as Training of Trainers and the preparation of Risk Management Plans. These activities help reduce the isolation of civil society organizations, strengthen shared understanding of risks, and facilitate access to new funding opportunities for security management.
The project also advances key advocacy messages, emphasizing the need to recognize local actors as full strategic partners, eliminate risk transfer from international organizations, and systematically integrate women’s participation and leadership into risk management strategies. At the same time, donors and humanitarian actors are encouraged to support these changes by funding dedicated security budgets, backing rapid-response mechanisms in crisis situations, and promoting simple, locally led communication to counter misinformation and strengthen community trust.
Through PARTAGE and the tools developed as part of the project, INTERSOS—with support from the European Union—strengthens the capacities of local humanitarian actors, enabling them to operate autonomously and safely and provide principled assistance. By investing in solid and sustainable risk management and more balanced partnerships, the project helps ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations effectively, appropriately, and safely, with a direct impact on those most at risk.