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 Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) 2024
We will be at this year’s Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) to showcase learning from our programmes and advocate for more locally led and anticipatory action in the humanitarian sector.
Join us!UKRAINE LOCAL POOLED FUND
Our new fund aims to increase the amount of humanitarian funding to local and national actors in Ukraine, resulting in locally led humanitarian action reaching people in need.
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 hub has 11 local and national member organisations that are all community-based.
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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 hub brings together nearly 60 local, national, and international organisations in DRC.
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DRC, Senegal, Zimbabwe
Start Ready
Start Ready is a unique financing mechanism that uses advanced planning so that funding can be rapidly released when needed most.
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Zimbabwe, Senegal
ARC Replica
ARC Replica is a partnership with African Risk Capacity and African Union member states that helps African countries proactively manage climate-related risks through disaster risk insurance.
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
The India Humanitarian Hub (IHH) prioritises locally led action and leadership by bringing together local, national, and international humanitarian agencies that are operational in 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
Medair
Age International
Community World Service Asia
Humanity & Inclusion UK (Handicap International)
Rural Development Orginzation Buner
World Jewish Relief
Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Bishops
Muslim Aid
World Vision
Sami Foundation
Yuganter
Nari Development Organization (NDO)
Doctors of the World
ActionAid
Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
Sangtani Women Rural Development Organization (SWRDO)
Doaba Foundation
Caritas Bangladesh
Solidarités International
Initiative for Development and Empowerment Axis (IDEA)
People in Need (PIN)
Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS)
Relief International
Help Foundation
Mechanism for Rational Change (MRC)
Islamic Relief
Rural Community Development Society (RCDS)
Association for Gender Awareness & Human Empowerment (AGAHE)
North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA)
AFPDE asbl (Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène)
Cordaid
Farmers Development Organization
ACTED
Qatar Charity
Plan International
National Integrated Development Association (NIDA-Pakistan)
Manzil Organization Balochistan
Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organisations (PIANGO)
Cesvi
Caritas Sri Lanka
EHD
Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB)
Save the Children UK
Tearfund
Welfare Association Jared
Trócaire
Agricultural Development Association (PARC)
Care International UK
Society for Mobilization Advocacy and Justice (SMAAJ)
LASOONA
Environmental Protection Society (EPS)
War Child
Concern Worldwide (UK)
HelpAge International UK
Veer Development Organization
Appui aux Femmes Démunies et Enfants Marginalisés (AFEDEM)
Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID)
Action Against Hunger UK
EHSAR Foundation
MIDEFEHOPS ASBL
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
Mercy Corps
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
Azat Foundation
Health & Nutrition Development Society (HANDS)
Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP)
Muzaffarabad Poverty Alleviation Programme
PRO-VIDA
GOAL
Caritas Goma
CADENA
Rural Development Foundation (RDF)
Caritas India
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
Dorcas Aid International
Updates
All updatesStart Network at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2024
Start Network will be at this year’s Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) to showcase learning from our programmes and advocate for more locally led and anticipatory action in the humanitarian sector.
Anticipatory Action for Cyclones in Madagascar: Evaluation of the Impact and Suitability of the DRF Model
Cyclone Freddy, the longest-lasting and most powerful cyclone ever recorded, hit Madagascar on 21-22nd of February 2023, and reemerged on the 5th of March, becoming the third deadliest in the Southern Hemisphere.
START FUND RISK BRIEF: March 2024
The Start Fund Risk Brief reports on new, emerging or deteriorating humanitarian situations across the globe. March's Risk Brief includes entries on the risk of severe flooding across East Africa, dengue outbreaks in Latin America and the Caribbean, extreme heat in Sri Lanka and India, and food insecurity in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.
Start Network’s new strategy: Shifting the conditions that hold the system in place
Change means action: Start Network's new 3-year strategy for 2024-2026 has just launched. It crystallises our value offer as a systems change organisation and sets out how we will address the challenges in the humanitarian sector.
COMMUNITY-LED INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP: INNOVATION CATALOGUE
Launched in 2020, the Community-Led Innovation Partnership (CLIP) is a collaborative programme that brings together a group of like-minded humanitarian innovation actors to explore how communities can be placed at the heart of humanitarian response.
External Evaluation: Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) in Start Fund Processes and Start Fund Projects
In June 2023 the Start Fund commissioned an annual external evaluation to examine accountability to affected populations (AAP) in Start Fund projects and processes. The evaluation aimed to assess the extent to which accountability principles and good practices can be incorporated into all stages of the Start Fund alert cycle, specifically considering challenges of the short timeframes of 72 hours between alert raising and project selection and 45 to 60 days for project implementation.