Our Story

“Hak[i]” means truth or justice in Swahili, Arabic and other languages, a reflection of the centrality of justice to human existence. Hakí is re-inventing how international development is done, by putting local knowledge first. We are a global network of local experts, community leaders, and organizations across more than 50 countries, working together collectively to promote justice and equity as core tenets in creating durable solutions to the world’s toughest problems.

At Hakí we believe first and foremost in local, community engagement and empowerment. Hakí members bring local knowledge and perspectives to national and international debates on legal issues that directly affect the poor, including:

• Rebuilding a better, more transparent, and accountable foreign aid and development finance sector

• Leveraging private sector investment to achieve sustainable, climate-friendly growth and shared prosperity

• Combatting poverty and food insecurity through local land and natural resource rights

• Injecting human rights and equity into business practices

• Eliminating injustice and violence against women

• Improving governance and reducing corruption

• Prioritizing local voices and local systems in humanitarian response

We are both a social enterprise and non-profit that uses flexible, innovative solutions, working with both the public and private sectors through our global network to emphasize sustainable results that benefit local communities.