What makes Tearfund different?
We combine rigorous technical expertise with the deep-rooted trust of local organisations and civic leaders. This holistic approach allows us to tackle the root causes of systemic poverty at scale.
Because our work is shaped by local partners with a permanent presence in the communities we serve, we can build integrated programmes that directly meet community needs, ensuring we maximise efficiency and create solutions that thrive long after our work is done.
Deeply-rooted community networks
Most development interventions struggle to survive once international funding ends. We solve this systemic risk by taking a localised approach, mobilising pre-existing, community embedded civil institutions such as local faith leaders and civic coalitions.
Because these structures are self-financing and deeply trusted, they continue to drive development, manage assets and maintain local accountability long after the grant cycle closes. This guarantees enduring impact and optimal Value for Money (VfM).
Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA)
With funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the JISRA consortium, we collaborated with local implementing organisations to strengthen intercommunal relations, promote freedom of religion and belief, and resolve community conflicts across Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mali, and Iraq.
We delivered this impact through close collaboration with local faith actors, women and young people, utilising highly responsive, locally-led programming. Shifting power to local organisations and community stakeholders is a foundational feature of our delivery model, ensuring the long-term sustainability of conflict resolution and early warning mechanisms.
Agile risk mitigation
Operating in fragile and conflict affected situations or highly restrictive contexts requires deep trust and local knowledge. Our local operational footprint means we do not rely on international staff to drop-in and navigate complex political or security landscapes. Instead, the local organisations with whom we work provide continuous community access, real-time risk assessment and early warning systems.
This enables agile monitoring, ensures the safety of our staff, partners and the community, and maintains strict adherence to humanitarian safeguards and principles even in volatile and remote areas.
