Our institute's 'Localization in World Politics' research project investigates contemporary conflicts that have shifted from traditional warfare to prolonged civil conflicts with diverse actors and significant civilian impact. Acknowledging that most conflict-affected populations reside in the Global South, yet are governed by Western-centric legal frameworks, this project examines the role of local communities in creating sustainable peace.

We explore the "localization" concept, where local practices adapt international norms, challenging the prevailing "international first" approach in policy design. Through this project, we aim to clarify the term 'localization' and its implications for local-international actor relationships. We consider various interpretations of localization across forced migration, civilian protection, humanitarianism, and transitional justice, analyzing its impact on global norms.

The project connects scholars to discuss localization's diverse meanings, power dynamics, and its effects on global norms. Despite shared goals, the interconnected areas of practice seldom intersect. Our goal is to forge new connections, establish an international network of experts, and potentially develop a partnership-stream grant proposal.

Outcomes of this collaboration include a journal special issue, a web-based localization guide, and a podcast series, alongside policy briefs to guide international organizations and NGOs in conflict-affected areas. This scholarly work aims to inform policy-making and contribute to the discourse on local-global dynamics in conflict resolution.