We innovate to find new approaches to funding that are proactive and that reach people at risk quickly.
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
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Guatemala
Guatemala Hub
The Guatemala Hub is a space that seeks to guarantee the life, security and justice of people in conditions of vulnerability.
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Venezuela
Flooding in South America
Intense rains caused ravines to overflow and water systems to collapse in Venezuela.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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,
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Somalia
Somali Humanitarian Hub
The Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a locally led humanitarian system, integrating humanitarian, development, and peace programming within Somalia.
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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
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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.
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India
INDIA HUMANITARIAN HUB
IHH prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies across India.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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

Save the Children UK

Cesvi

Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme

AJSA India

HelpAge International UK

Age International

Solidarités International

Rural Development Organization Buner

Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)

LASOONA

Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)

Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)

EHD

ACTED

Doctors of the World

Sukaar Foundation Tharparkar

Environmental Protection Society (EPS)

World Jewish Relief

Wajir South Development Association

Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)

Caritas Goma

Gautam Buddha Jagriti Society

Cordaid

Cohesion Foundation Trust

SNIRD (Society for National Integration through Rural Development)

Plan International

AAINA

Welfare Association Jared

Humanitarian Aid International

Farmers Development Organization

Islamic Relief

Caritas Sri Lanka

War Child

Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)

MIDEFEHOPS ASBL

Manzil Organization Balochistan

Oxfam GB

Veer Development Organization

TearFund

People in Need (PIN)

PRO-VIDA

VOC RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (VOCRDC)

Concern Worldwide (UK)

Muslim Hands UK

Youth Organization

GOAL

National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)

Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)

Rural Development Foundation (RDF)

Yuganter

Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)

Azat Foundation

Qatar Charity

Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)

The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

Community World Service Asia

Action Against Hunger UK

Dorcas Aid International

Muslim Aid

North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops

AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)

CADENA

Chaitanya Jyothi Welfare Society

Caritas Bangladesh

Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)

MEDAIR

Caritas India

Help Foundation

Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)

Care International UK

EHSAR Foundation

Trócaire

Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)

Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS)

Doaba Foundation

Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS)

Relief International

Nari Development Organization (NDO)

Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)

Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)

Christian Aid

Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)

Sami Foundation

World Vision

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.

Agricultural Development Association (PARC)

Community Development Foundation (CDF)
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.