As global aid budgets tighten and traditional development models face growing scrutiny, the question confronting donors and implementers alike is clear: how can we continue to deliver meaningful change with fewer resources?

The answer may reside with a politically smart, adaptive approach—one that’s already showing results in Malawi through the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded Traction programme.

Implemented by Palladium, Traction is designed to support governance reform not by imposing external agendas, but by identifying and amplifying local momentum. It works where political will already exists, builds coalitions around tangible issues, and redirects efforts when traction fades. In short, it’s about working politically—and working smart. “The key is in identifying where real local traction lies – not what’s necessarily normally in line with donor priorities,” explains the programme’s Technical Director, Simon Foot.

“When we get this right, local and loose coalitions of interest with power naturally drive change driven by their own incentives, not those prioritised by outsiders, and this is what makes it affordable for donors.”

Thokozani Mapemba, Issue based Facilitator for the programme, explains that Traction selects stakeholders for a purpose by leveraging their interest in an issue and navigating the political will surrounding it. “In this case, advocacy becomes easier because stakeholders view Traction’s efforts as beneficial to advancing their advocacy, while being confident that strong political will, which we’re hoping to achieve, drives overall results and change.”

Rethinking the Value Proposition

Traditional governance programmes often follow a familiar formula: a donor identifies a priority, funds a multi-year initiative, hires consultants, procures equipment, and delivers training. Success is measured by rollout and uptake. But when political incentives don’t align, these systems are often bypassed, underused, or quietly abandoned.

Traction flips that model.

It doesn’t push predefined solutions. Instead, it facilitates reform by supporting local actors already motivated to change. It’s designed to step back when political will fades and redirect efforts toward more promising avenues.

This approach not only saves money—it also builds legitimacy. By aligning with existing political dynamics, Traction helps reforms stick. The programme’s Team Leader Clemence Alfazema shares that alignment in action; “When key stakeholders would not cooperate on efforts to ensure quality of drugs, a simple chat with the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) revealed that such cooperation would come if the issue was presented with a human rights angle.”

“Using its broad mandate to summon government agencies, MHRC was able to influence them to cooperate.”

Adaptive, Issue-Based, and Cross-Sectoral

Traction’s politically smart approach isn’t confined to governance. It supports reform across sectors—from health to education—by providing on-demand political analysis to other donor-funded programmes in Malawi. This helps those programmes navigate complex political landscapes and make better-informed decisions.

For example, when a value chains development programme encounters a barrier to change, Traction contributes its knowledge to help find ways to develop new, politically informed strategies. Part of this support is fast, flexible, and grounded in real-time analysis.

Doing More with Less

In an era of austerity, politically smart programming offers a way to stretch limited resources further. By focusing on what’s politically feasible, Traction avoids the sunk costs of stalled reforms and builds change from the ground up.

This model also reduces the need for large, fixed teams and expensive infrastructure. Instead, Traction operates with a lean, agile setup that can respond quickly to shifting political dynamics. "We've proven that governance reform isn't about budget size but about reading the political terrain: by analysing power dynamics, reframing debates, and turning adversaries into allies, we’ve boosted compliance at near-zero implementation cost,” Joy Chabwera, an Issue Based Facilitator adds.

A Model for the Future?

As the aid sector grapples with budget cuts, shifting priorities, and increasing demands for accountability, Traction’s approach offers a blueprint for doing development differently. It’s not just about surviving the cuts—it’s about thriving despite them.

“Traction has shown that always bearing in mind the local context, local actors, being ever mindful of the power dynamics and of the fact that the same can change at any time is the crux of this mode of development work,” explains Tiyanjana Kazembe, a manager on the programme. “Being able to adapt and adjust when circumstances call for it allows for us to keep our finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and eye on the ball, while striving to effectively unlock and provide suitable and lasting solutions to the identified issues in a smart and value effective manner.”

By working politically, adapting constantly, and focusing on value for money, Traction is showing that reform doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. It just has to be smart.

For more, read the article on ODI Global or contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com And Simon Foot at simon.foot@kdperspectives.org