WLI’s Approach to Locally Led Development
This brief explains how WLI understands and applies locally led development in practice. Grounded in the principle that Pacific people are best placed to drive their own development, WLI positions itself as an enabler — providing tools, networks, funding and opportunities for Pacific women to pursue their own leadership goals in their own contexts. The paper shows that WLI embeds locally led practice not only in program activities but also in its governance, staffing, policies and funding flows — including Pacific-led steering, country-based alumni representatives, investment in Pacific coaches and suppliers, and expanded in-Pacific delivery. It emphasises that locally led development is not a set of discrete activities but a values-based way of working built on respect for Pacific knowledge, relational practice and shared decision-making.