Strengthening Local Aid: The Experience of Benposta Regional Llanos with HQAI

The need for strong and efficient local organisations is more urgent than ever. Recognising this shift, the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI) and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe have partnered to finance audits against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) for four organisations in Colombia: Corporación Infancia y Desarrollo, laFundación Halü Bienestar Humano, Tierra de Paz and Benposta Regional Llanos.

All are local/national partners supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH). This collaborative effort between HQAI and DKH underscores the importance of novel co-financing solutions in the sector to effectively support high-quality locally-led aid programming.

In this interview, we explore how HQAI CHS certification has driven Benposta Regional Llanos to strengthen its capacities, improve its internal processes, and increase its impact on the communities it serves. Through the words of María Elena Barajas, the director of Benposta, we learn about the challenges and benefits of this process and the impact on the organisation.

Changes Driven by HQAI CHS Certification

HQAI CHS certification has been a catalyst for change at Benposta Regional Llanos. Some of the most significant changes include:

• Strengthening management: Benposta Regional Llanos has developed a more robust management system, which has generated greater trust among its donors and funders.
• Improving documentation: The organisation has emphasised documenting all its processes, facilitating knowledge management and accountability.
• Team Development: Benposta Regional Llanos has invested in staff training and equiped the team with the tools they need to work more efficiently and effectively with communities.

Key Learnings

Through the work with HQAI auditors, Benposta has acquired valuable lessons. One is the importance of maintaining the organisation's essence, ensuring that community participation, shared decision-making, and respect for human rights remain the pillars of Benposta’s work. As Barajas puts it: "The certification has reminded us of the importance of maintaining our identity and continuing to work with communities in a horizontal and co-responsible manner."

Impact on Communities and Donors

HQAI CHS certification has positively impacted both the communities served by Benposta Regional Llanos and its donors. By obtaining this certification, Benposta demonstrates its commitment to excellence and transparency, generating greater trust in the organisation.

For our donors, the certification guarantees that their contributions are being used efficiently and effectively," explains Barajas. "And for the communities, it means they are working with an organisation that cares about their well-being and is committed to improving their lives.

Challenges and Opportunities

The certification process has presented challenges for Benposta Regional Llanos, such as adapting its systems and procedures to HQAI CHS requirements. However, the organisation has overcome these obstacles thanks to its partners' support and its team's commitment.

The Future of Benposta

With HQAI CHS certification, Benposta Regional Llanos positions itself as a leading organisation in local humanitarian aid. The organisation aims to continue strengthening its capacities, expanding its geographical reach, and contributing to building more just and equitable communities.

Benposta's experience with HQAI CHS certification demonstrates that this process can catalyse positive change in civil society organisations. By demonstrating how they meet high quality standards, these organisations can improve their efficiency, increase their impact, and strengthen their credibility with donors and communities.

We thank María Elena Barajas for this interview, conducted in 2024 by Vanessa Poffet, HQAI.