We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
Start Network introduces Solidarity Fund
The Fund is designed to provide rapid, flexible financial support to frontline organisations to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and sustain essential humanitarian efforts.
Strategy 2024-2026
Our focus for these three years reaffirms our commitment to humanitarian system change, modelled through practical action. We will focus on our key strengths and value offer as a networker, funder, innovator and influencer to help transform the sector into a more equitable, ethical and pro-active in protecting communities.
Locally-led action: The missing link in crisis finance
Reflecting on the recent report from the High-Level Panel on Closing the Crisis Protection Gap, our policy experts share key takeaways and way forward.
A new era of humanitarian action
Start Network is made up of 134 humanitarian agencies across six continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs
10 YEARS OF START FUND
2024 marked a decade of impact for Start Network's Start Fund. Launched in 2014, the Start Fund has become a vital mechanism, empowering our circa 100 member organisations to deliver swift and anticipatory humanitarian action around the world.
Our reach
Crisis alerts we respond to around the world.
Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief
Drawing on ongoing research and the experience of the Start Network, this briefing outlines the impact of funding cuts on crisis-affected communities, examines how humanitarian organisations and the broader system are responding, and explores possible scenarios for the future of aid. It concludes with Start Network’s recommendations for action.
Read more
Community-led Innovation Toolkit
This toolkit is a practical guide for organisations seeking to design and deliver community-led innovation programmes. It walks users through five key phases of the innovation journey, from programme setup through to sustainability, and includes 26 tools that support everything from community engagement and risk mapping to idea development, prototyping, and scaling.
Read moreAreas of work
Start Network’s vision is for a more balanced international aid system that is accountable to people affected by or at risk of crises.
Start Network is based on innovation: looking for new ways to create the system change that will shape a more effective humanitarian system.
Where we work
Americas
Americas
-
Guatemala
Guatemala Hub
The Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
-
Venezuela
Flooding in South America
Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
-
Central and South America
Start Fund Response
Start Fund provides rapid response funding to under-the-radar, small to medium-scale crises, filling a critical gap in the humanitarian aid system.
Europe
Europe
-
Ukraine
The need for a more equitable humanitarian response
Start Network's approach to the Ukraine crisis is based on learning from other larger-scale crises that the Start Fund has responded to in the past.
-
Serbia, Bulgaria
Migration Emergency Response Fund
The objective of the MERF was to rapidly respond to acute and emerging gaps and changes in needs along migration route.
-
Greece, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia
European Refugee Response
Start Network co-ordinated a two phase response to the European Refugee Crisis through ERR1 and ERR2.
Africa
Africa
-
DRC
DRC Hub
The mission of the DRC Hub is to build a proactive operating system to mitigate the impact of natural, man-made and other disasters,
-
Somalia
Somali Humanitarian Hub
The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
-
South Sudan
South Sudan Hub
The South Sudan Hub comprises local, national, and international NGOs, advocating for a humanitarian architecture characterised by dependable, flexible, adequate, and needs-based funding.
Asia
Asia
-
Bangladesh, Nepal
National Start Funds
National Start Funds are there to finance locally led humanitarian action, with members managing their own funds for the benefit of their own communities.
-
India
INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB
IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across India.
-
The Philippines, Bangladesh
FOREWARN
The Forecast-based, Warning, Analysis, and Response Network aims to quickly bring together the right people to predict disasters and support humanitarians closest to an anticipated crisis.
Oceania
Oceania
-
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati
Pacific Region Hub
The Pacific Humanitarian FALE is working to engage locally led humanitarian actors so that they can provide services that ensure the lives of people are safeguarded in any crisis.
-
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati
THE LOCALISATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN THE PACIFIC
Josie Flint from HAG speaks about the work they have been doing and the influence that the Start Network has had on this.
-
Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati
Assembly held in Fiji, FALE-PASIFIKA
The word "fale" refers to a house that is meaningful and has a purpose when people occupy it.
Our members
Relief International
Welfare Association Jared
Sami Foundation
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
PRO-VIDA
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)
Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)
Concern Worldwide (UK)
Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)
Caritas Goma
World Vision
EHD
EHSAR Foundation
Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)
Qatar Charity
Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Caritas Bangladesh
War Child
Oxfam GB
Muslim Aid
VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)
Yuganter
Nari Development Organization (NDO)
Caritas Sri Lanka
Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Manzil Organization Balochistan
Azat Foundation
Doctors of the World
AJSA India
MIDEFEHOPS ASBL
Age International
Muslim Hands UK
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)
World Jewish Relief
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Action Against Hunger UK
Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
Solidarités International
Trócaire
People in Need (PIN)
GOAL
Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society
Cohesion Foundation Trust
Farmers Development Organization
Cordaid
Humanitarian Aid International
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)
Community World Service Asia
Dorcas Aid International
HelpAge International UK
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
Agricultural Development Association (PARC)
CADENA
Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme
Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society
ACTED
Veer Development Organization
Christian Aid
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
Wajir South Development Association
Save the Children UK
Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)
TearFund
Help Foundation
Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)
MEDAIR
Youth Organization
AAINA
Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)
Caritas India
Plan International
Islamic Relief
National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
LASOONA
Care International UK
Environmental Protection Society (EPS)
Doaba Foundation
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
Cesvi
Rural Development Foundation (RDF)
Rural Development Organization Buner
Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)
Updates
All updates
Start Fund External Evaluation: Impact of Locally Led Humanitarian Action
In 2024 the Start Fund commissioned Altamont Group to conduct an external evaluation on: 'Measuring the impact of locally led action on the quality of humanitarian actions and on the populations affected by crises'.
Start Ready Risk Pool 4 Structuring Report
Read how Start Ready's Risk Pool 4 is structured to support anticipatory action in 2025-2026
Start Fund Risk Bulletin: July 2025
The Start Fund monthly Risk Bulletin reports on new, emerging or deteriorating situations.
Locally Driven Humanitarian Action in Bangladesh
Read Locally Driven Humanitarian Action in Bangladesh — an overview of Start Network Bangladesh’s mission, programmes, system-changing footprint, and impact.
Humanitarian Action Under Pressure: Start Network Policy Brief
Drawing on ongoing research and the experience of the Start Network, this briefing outlines the impact of funding cuts on crisis-affected communities, examines how humanitarian organisations and the broader system are responding, and explores possible scenarios for the future of aid.
Start Network’s response to the ERC statement on the Humanitarian Reset process
Start Network’s response to the ERC statement on the Humanitarian Reset process.
Sign up to our newsletter
Stay in touch with Start Network, sign up to our newsletter and receive regular updates