Start Network Hubs

Decentralising and localising the Network

Start Network is changing its model from the largely centralised entity it is today, to a dispersed, international network of Start Network “hubs”. 

Hubs will be collectives of local, national and international organisations operating in the same country or region. They will control their own resources and define their own responses to crises affecting their communities, united by a shared purpose and common standards, and supported by a global Start Network Platform. 

Five founding hubs have been announced in Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, the Pacific region, and Pakistan. These hubs will be led by organisations based in the countries and regions, with each hub being made up of a diverse representation of local, national and international organisations. 

Start Network will support these hubs through an 18-month ‘proof-of-concept’ phase, which will test the best ways to support the hubs, and to allow the hubs to test different ways to operate, while also enabling the Start Network and hubs to bring others on board as they go. Later other Hubs will join.

Read more about our vision for the future of Start Network or watch the video in English, Spanish, French.

Hub membership

How to get involved

The Start Network is opening up the option of hub-based membership to organisations based in countries where international humanitarian aid work is undertaken (as defined by the DAC list of countries eligible for Official Development Assistance or ODA).

This process began earlier in 2018 with a global call for Expressions of Interest (EOI), which enabled the Start Network team to map organisational and geographical interest in the hubs model.

With an overwhelming 329 responses, the Start Network is now guiding interested organisations to move further on their journey as collectives, organising themselves in a transformative way. Please see the locations organisations have suggested to create Start Network hubs.

This process is supported by a Hubs Advisory Group, which was set up to guide these hub collectives forward. Read notes from the group’s meetings here.