A Substitution Effect occurs when an organization takes over for local capacity and reduces or replaces local efforts.

Why do negative Substitution Effects happen?

Negative Substitution Effects occur when organizations rush blindly to fill needs, assuming local structures and capacities are incapable or non-existent. In moments of crisis, local capacities may not be able to meet all needs, but they should not be replaced wholesale.

Local systems may go unnoticed by outsiders who have little local experience or make assumptions based on other places. When they are not noticed, they can be replaced and local capacities are lost, along with local resilience, and the outside organizations may never notice the damage they have done.

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Related Topics
Substitution Effects result in authorities’ loss of capacity
Substitution Effects free up resources to pursue conflict
Substitution Effects
Resource Transfers