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

Resource

Going the extra mile: Bangladesh Localisation Review

In order to establish a baseline on the state of localisation in the Start Fund and humanitarian sector in Bangladesh more generally, the Start Fund Bangladesh commissioned this external review.

19Aug17

News Article

Start Network responds rapidly to fill critical gap following Sierra Leone mudslides

Thousands of vulnerable people in dire need following mudslides in Sierra Leone are to begin receiving urgent help today, following the decision yesterday by Start Network members to fund six rapid-response projects.

18Aug17

Blog Post

The Start Fund rapidly bridges gap in the fight against cholera in Yemen

Start Network’s Laura-Louise Fairley reports on the Start Fund response to cholera in Yemen, when the rapid release of funds allowed those suffering to receive help in just two days while major humanitarian donors were only just waking up to the emerging crisis.

14Aug17

News Article

Start members act in anticipation of high stakes election in Kenya

The Start Network is enabling aid agencies in Kenya act early to mitigate the risk of election violence, in a new way of working for the humanitarian sector.

09Aug17

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