THE NETWORK <br/>FOR CHANGE

This website uses cookies. Read more.

Read about why we exist and values and reach. Or click above to read about our governance structure and current vacancies.

The future of the network

Network directory

Join the Start Network

See which organisations are in the Network and which are our donors and partners. Or click above to find out about becoming a member.

Our aim is to deliver effective aid, harnessing the power and knowledge of the network to make faster and better decisions to help people affected by crises.

See publications and resources from across the Network

News and blog articles from across the Start Network.

See events and training from across the Network

About us

Leading for change in humanitarian aid

Start Network is made up of 42 aid agencies across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs. Together, our aim is to deliver more effective emergency aid, harnessing the power and knowledge of the network to help people affected by crises. We advocate for radical change in the system so that the world can deal better with the humanitarian challenges of today, and of the future.
Read more

Latest

Resource

Localisation in practice: Emerging indicators and practical recommendations

The concept of localisation of aid has been present in the humanitarian sector for decades in the form of ‘building on local capacities.’ Before and after the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, there have been many discussions about making the humanitarian system more effective and relevant, by ensuring that humanitarian preparedness and response capacity sits with those nearest to the crisis affected-populations as they are best placed to respond quickly and appropriately – and stay longest. The Grand Bargain Commitments agreed at the Summit are a landmark attempt at reforming the international humanitarian system. The Start Network has also made some specific commitments to localisation. The Start Network’s Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) was a multi-stakeholder, three-year programme that has invested in building national capacity for disasters and emergencies preparedness in 11 countries made up of 14 projects overall. This report was commissioned by the DEPP Learning Project to contribute to learning on best practice for localisation, and to move forward the discussions on localisation.

15Aug18

News Article

Islamic Relief helps survivors of Bangladesh floods

Islamic relief has been working in consortium with Start Network Members Save the Children and Concern Worldwide, to implement a rapid response to floods which hit Bangladesh in early June. 

15Aug18

Blog Post

How blockchain can create a more humane process for refugees

Blockchain technology has been making waves in many industries with its transparency and security-oriented technology. From tracking funding to offering refugees financial services and even improving the processing of asylum requests, blockchain is revolutionising the way the world welcomes refugees.

14Aug18

Blog Post

Global Fund 250th crisis alert: Ebola outbreak in the DRC

A fresh outbreak of Ebola in the North Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the focus of the 250th alert by the Start Fund.

10Aug18

Our vision

The future of humanitarian action

Start Network is working to create a system in which; responses to crises will be defined by those closest to them and based on humanitarian need; early and predictable funding will reduce the impact of crises and the cost of responses; a diverse group of organisations work together to adapt to the needs of people affected by crises. We believe this is only possible through a collective effort to change the system.
Read more

Our areas of work

Start Fund

The world’s first pooled rapid response fund managed solely by NGOs.
- underfunded emergencies
- early response
- fast response

Start Engage

Wide-ranging practical experiments in enabling local communities to prepare for disasters.
- 14 projects in 10 countries
- 44 organisations involved
- Total disbursed: £30m over three years

Start Labs

Testing innovative solutions to humanitarian financing and decision making.
- 2 insurance products being tested and taken to scale
- A pilot blockchain platform for the Start Fund

Start Response

Taking collaboration in design and delivery to a new level.
- 23 countries
- More than 7 million people reached
- £33.7m Portfolio

An international network

Today the Start Network extends to 42 members and their 7000 partner organisations, employing more than a quarter million people across 200 countries and territories.
Read more