THE NETWORK <br/>FOR CHANGE

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

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Network directory

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

We support humanitarians, donors, local partners and other stakeholders in optimising the contribution that they can make to connecting people in crisis with the best possible solutions.

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

Start Network is made up of 42 national and international aid agencies from five continents.
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. We are developing more effective ways to work together, and new approaches that will reduce the scale of human suffering.
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Latest

Blog Post

Start Fund: rapid response to Marawi crisis

Within a few days of violence erupting in Marawi, Philippines, the Start Fund had been activated, and a consortium of Start members including ACTED, ACF, Oxfam and CRS responded to address the increasing needs of local families. 

19Jul17

Blog Post

Start Evolves: Embracing complexity in the humanitarian sector

Kat Reichel, Senior Manager for Network Design and Engagement, talks about how the Start Network is making its vision a reality through complex systems thinking.

12Jul17

Resource

DEPP Case study: International NGOs collaborating on humanitarian surge in Asia

This case study traces the collaboration of seven international humanitarian NGOs in Asia as part of the DEPP's Transforming Surge Capacity project. It identifies the enabling factors that have allowed the involved organisations to collaborate and produce an innovative inter-agency roster for Asia. It also captures what partners have learned from collaborating at a regional level.

12Jul17

News Article

ALIMA treats last cases of Ebola in DRC with support from the Start Fund

In May this year, Start Network member ALIMA contained an Ebola outbreak in the DRC, with support from the Start Fund. Read ALIMA's account of the response here.

12Jul17

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.
- 7.7m people reached
- 10 countries
- Total disbursed: £31m

About Us

Leading for change in humanitarian aid

We believe that the system of humanitarian aid that has operated for the past 70 years is no longer working as it should. Our aim is to challenge that system and to help it to change. We call what we’re aiming for a “new humanitarian economy” – a system that reduces the power of centralised institutions and bureaucrats and gives more control to communities and individuals on the front line of every crisis.
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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