Start Network Change Makers

As part of Start Network’s 10-year anniversary, we celebrated change makers who have made or are making a considerable impact within their community, country, region, organisation or wider system – individuals, teams or organisations that are driving positive change within the humanitarian sector.

Driving the type of systemic change that we are aiming for is a hard, long process, with challenges and even attempts that fail along the way.

We are celebrating those individuals, teams and organisations that are grappling with the challenges of systemic change in the humanitarian sector, those who are driving lasting change within their community, country, region, organisation or the wider system.

In addition to the overall Changer Makers, a number of people received ‘Special Mentions’ for their contribution to the sector.

Sean Lowrie announces the Start Network Change Makers

Change makers

Méschac Nakanywenge, coordinator of the UPDDHE in DRC, is a Start Network Change Maker in the Localisation category.

Heba Abu Jarbou works at Islamic Relief Palestine and is a Start Network Change Maker in the category Inclusive.

This anonymous Change Maker works for Mercy Corps in Syria and was nominated under the category Brave.

Jahin Shams works in an NGO called Uttaran in Bangladesh. He is a Start Network Change Maker in the category Open.

Special mentions

De-Joseph Kakisingi, founder of Santé et Developpement, received a Special Mention in the category Open.

Aisha Jumaan received a Special Mention in the category Brave for her work with the Yemen Relief and Construction Foundation.

The categories

  1. Faster and early action
  2. Localisation
  3. Collective innovation
  4. Lasting systemic change
  5. Impactful leader 
  6. Puts people first
  7. Brave
  8. Operates collectively
  9. Inclusive
  10. Open

How the process worked

Change Makers were found via nominations from across the network and chosen based on their work around 10 categories.

Final Change Makers were selected by a panel of volunteers including:

  • Amadou Diallo, Start Network (Hosted by CRS, Senegal)
  • Andrew Kavala, MANEPO
  • Emma Akinlusi, Partnership Development, Peace Partners UK 
  • Erika Glanz, CADENA
  • Imelda Phadtare, Global Sustainability Institute 
  • Lizz Harrison, arche noVa - Initiative for People in Need 
  • Max Baiden, SCUK
  • Mihir Joshi, SEEDS
  • Ricardo Fal-Dutra Santos, Oxfam International
  • Rya Ducasin, CARE Philippines
  • Sajid Raihan, Start Fund Bangladesh
  • Sarah Bernolet, ALIMA
  • Seheno Andrianiaina, Start Network (Hosted by CRS, Madagascar)
  • Shaikh Maaz, HANDS
  • Veronika Bertram, KFW