Using Substitution Effects

A Substitution Effect occurs when an organization takes over for local capacity and reduces or replaces local efforts.

Using Substitution Effects

You need to know what people expect the governing authority to be responsible for. You need to know who normally does what you do.

We know that local systems can be stretched to the breaking point by conflicts or emergencies. The purpose of many interventions is to provide the assistance that helps communities get through these periods. Can the assistance be provided so that local capacity grows stronger?

When a government assumes increasing responsibility for meeting civilian peace-time needs of all its citizens, it gains in legitimacy and thereby contributes to security and builds Connectors. Find the good actors in government and help them get better at their jobs. Open up conversations with government officials at all levels about roles and responsibilities and be willing to lend a hand for a time.

Find the local organizations that are doing the hard work on the ground. Do not overstrain the one good local NGO you find, but look for others and opportunities to help them expand their abilities.

Leave something beautiful behind when you go.

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