This article explores why local leaders and community coalitions have become central to driving sustainable development change, particularly within the context of Australia’s evolving aid policy. It outlines how the 2023 Australian International Development Policy and DFAT’s Guidance Note on Locally Led Development place strong emphasis on supporting locally grounded actors who understand their own political and social environments. Drawing on examples from the Pacific and Southeast Asia, the piece argues that coalitions—rather than isolated individuals—are often the most effective engines of systemic change. By highlighting both the promise and complexity of locally led approaches, the article calls for deeper learning, better support structures, and more nuanced engagement with the political realities that shape development outcomes.