TABLE OF CONTENTS
- NGULDE GLOBAL FOUNDATION (NGF 360)
- BACKGROUND
- LEADERSHIP ROLE OF LOCAL ACTORS
- WHY IT WORKED
- CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED
- HOW THEY WERE ADDRESSED
- OUTCOME AND IMPACT
- LOCALISATION AND CHILD PROTECTION LINK
- SCALE AND SUSTAINABILITY
- LESSONS LEARNED
NGULDE GLOBAL FOUNDATION (NGF 360)
The Ngulde Global Foundation (NGF360) is a local NGO based in Northeast Nigeria, working to advance localisation in child protection within a challenging humanitarian context. Since its establishment in 2019, NGF360 has strengthened the capacity of ten local organisations across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
Through training, organisational development, fundraising support, and advocacy, NGF360 has empowered local actors to take leadership roles in coordination groups, access direct funding, and influence decision-making processes. These efforts have improved child protection outcomes by ensuring responses are community-driven, culturally relevant, and sustainable.
In this initiative, several key localisation dimensions were addressed, including governance and decision-making, participation and influence, partnerships, and institutional capacity. The approach emphasised meaningful engagement with local actors, ensuring their voices and perspectives shaped both design and implementation. It also created opportunities for sharing and showcasing learning, while promoting accessible learning to build local capacity, strengthening the ability of local stakeholders to sustain and expand impact over time.
BACKGROUND
Northeast Nigeria has endured over a decade of armed conflict, leaving millions of children vulnerable to violence, neglect, and exploitation. Conflict-driven displacement and limited resources for child protection systems have created urgent needs for community-based interventions. Local organisations, deeply embedded within their communities, were well-placed to respond but lacked technical capacity, recognition, and access to funding.
A localisation approach was critical to strengthening these actors, promoting sustainable solutions, and ensuring child protection responses reflected local realities.
LEADERSHIP ROLE OF LOCAL ACTORS
Local organisations supported by NGF360 have assumed leadership roles in multiple areas:
- Coordination: Belgra Care Foundation was appointed to lead the Child Protection Coordination Group for Local NGOs in Borno State in 2021—previously a role held only by international actors.
- Decision-making: Local actors shaped policy discussions within the Northeast Child Protection Working Group (CPWG), ensuring grassroots realities informed strategies.
- Implementation: Local NGOs led case management initiatives, parenting programs, and psychosocial support services in their communities, with technical backing from NGF360.
WHY IT WORKED
At the heart of NGF360’s impact is its founder, Ambassador Abubakar G. Ngulde, a UN Youth Ambassador whose vision for youth empowerment, education, and health care shaped the foundation’s mission. Under his guidance, NGF360 adopted a community-centred approach, working closely with local populations to understand their unique challenges and tailor solutions accordingly. This was especially important in conflict-affected areas, where safeguarding vulnerable individuals required both sensitivity and precision.
NGF360’s approach combined capacity strengthening, partnership-building, and advocacy to shift power towards local organisations.
- Capacity Assessments – Evaluated governance, financial management, and technical expertise of ten local NGOs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
- Training and Capacity-Building – Delivered training on case management, safeguarding, and organisational development (2022–2023), enabling partners to scale their interventions.
- Leadership in Coordination – Facilitated local leadership in child protection coordination platforms, including WhatsApp-based coordination groups across BAY states.
- Funding Access – Supported HOPLE in securing grants from UNDP and the Rapid Response Fund to expand child protection programs in Yobe.
- Partnerships – Fostered collaboration among local organisations and between local and international actors, promoting equal partnerships.
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED
- Limited access to flexible funding for local actors.
- Historical dominance of international organisations in coordination roles.
- Gaps in technical capacity and organisational systems.
HOW THEY WERE ADDRESSED
- Strategic advocacy for local representation in coordination groups.
- Targeted fundraising support to unlock direct donor funding.
- Tailored capacity-building and mentorship for local organisations.
OUTCOME AND IMPACT
NGF360’s work has led to measurable progress in localisation and child protection:
- Enhanced child protection outcomes – for example, safe spaces for children, parenting programs, and improved case management.
- Greater leadership of local actors in humanitarian coordination (Belgra Care Foundation and others).
- Increased direct funding to local organisations, reducing dependence on international intermediaries.
- Improved technical and operational capacity of ten local NGOs, enabling them to run effective and accountable programs.
LOCALISATION AND CHILD PROTECTION LINK
The Localisation approach has strengthened child protection by ensuring interventions are contextualised, community-owned, and sustainable. By empowering local organisations to lead, children and families benefited from programs that were culturally relevant, trusted, and better aligned with community needs.
SCALE AND SUSTAINABILITY
To sustain and expand this work:
- NGF360 will continue scaling capacity-building programs for local actors.
- Partnerships with international organisations will be leveraged to promote equal collaboration.
- Advocacy for increased direct donor funding to local organisations will be prioritised.
- Community-based monitoring systems and local governance structures will be integrated into child protection responses.
LESSONS LEARNED
Key take-a-ways for national and international actors include:
- Empowering local organisations is essential: Sustainable protection outcomes depend on strong community leadership.
- Ensuring equal partnerships is critical: Local actors should be involved not only in implementation but also in co-designing and co-leading programs.
- Promoting direct funding is necessary: Flexible funding streams enable local organisations to respond more effectively and adaptively.
- Investing in capacity building is vital: Governance, fundraising, and technical training are crucial for long-term localisation.
- Leveraging technology enhances coordination: Even simple tools, such as WhatsApp groups, can strengthen collaboration and accountability.