Recognising that meaningful participation and locally driven research are critical to generating impactful evidence, FCDO and programme partners The Asia Foundation, Rift Valley Institute, and Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center has sought to challenge traditional research structures—where external actors commission studies without investing in local capacity—and instead foster a more equitable approach to knowledge generation.
This briefing note distills key lessons from the review of the LRN to help donors, such as FCDO, and other research actors to support locally led research. It serves as a practical guide, offering concrete approaches from the LRN’s experience alongside broader resources on equitable knowledge and evidence production. It highlights the nuances of supporting locally led research in conflict settings – where power dynamics, funding structures, and operational constraints present distinct challenges. This note is not intended to comprehensively address all issues or capture every example of locally led research in diverse contexts and challenging environments.