Local Voices, Global Change: A Radical Rethink of International Development

28th July 2025

A new book, Horizontal Development: Shifting Power and Privilege in Aid, jointly authored by Dr Shonali Banerjee (University of Warwick), Professor Anne-Meike Fechter (University of Sussex), and Dr Thabani Mutambasere (University of Edinburgh), boldly reframes international aid.

With the Trump administration slashing USAID’s budget and the cutting of foreign aid by the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, international development has a widespread funding crisis unlike any in recent history – the era of so-called “big aid” is over.

This new research shifts focus away from traditional, top-down aid funding models, arguing that Western interventions should no longer be seen as a default option. Instead, greater attention must be paid to local solutions and societies – the innovative approach of “horizontal development”.

Joint author Shonali Banerjee, Assistant Professor of International Development, University of Warwick, said:

“At a moment when traditional top-down aid structures have failed the world’s most vulnerable communities, there is an urgent need for sustainable alternatives, shifts in power, and truly locally-led solutions.

“With so much geopolitical uncertainty, our research presents a timely exploration of different horizontal development models.”

As international development policymakers, practitioners, and politicians worldwide look for new solutions to funding problems, Horizontal Development explores different models including citizen aid, South-South co-operation, and digital humanitarianism.

By exploring “horizontal development”, this new research explains how and why local, peer-to-peer development occurs. This includes support through shared neighbourhoods, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. This new framework also helps to explain the role of diaspora groups, shared faith, and personal connections that are enabled by digital platforms.

Joint author Anne-Meike Fechter, Professor of Anthropology and International Development, University of Sussex, said:

“Part of the inspiration for this book was our students, who have become increasingly disaffected with constant critiques of, and frustration with, the existing ‘aid system’. We wanted to demonstrate what else is out there – a wealth of grassroots practices that are often ignored.”

For development studies researchers, the concept of “horizontal development” is new, providing original ways to think of aid as a wider set of support practices that are woven into the fabric of any society. This new way of understanding also highlights the need to focus on paths through the aid funding crisis using decolonial perspectives.

Joint author Thabani Mutambasere, Lecturer in African Studies and International Development, University of Edinburgh, said:

“Many believe large-scale development interventions are the drivers for lifting people out of poverty. We argue that horizontal forms of development addressing systemic inequalities that have long existed in society can in many cases can be just as if not more effective. These initiatives often support individuals overlooked by conventional development efforts.”

The book Horizontal Development: Shifting Power and Privilege in Aid is available online, https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/monobook/book/9781529224610/9781529224610.xml?tab_body=book-notes

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

 

For more information please contact:

Dom Barker, Media & Communications Officer

Dom.Barker@warwick.ac.uk / 07824 540727

 

Information on Horizontal Development: Shifting Power and Privilege in Aid

Published by Bristol University Press

Online ISBN: 9781529224610

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51952/9781529224610

 

Images

Cover art provided by Bristol University Press

Credit: Bristol University Press

 

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