ICVA updates

1. ICVA General Assembly 18 & 19 May 2021 

   ICVA's online General Assembly will be the moment for members to approve the ICVA 2030 strategy and choose a new Board for ICVA.

   We are very keen to see a dynamic election choosing a Board that represents the diversity of our membership.  Members, please consider proposing candidates to stand for the Board and the Chair.  Deadline to submit nominations is 31 March 2021. See here for more information about the nominations requirements and process, and here for the nominations form.  We look forward to your engagement! 

2. ICVA Annual Conference 25 & 26 May 2021 

   On 25 and 26 May 2021 ICVA will host its second virtual Annual Conference on the theme: Climate, environment and humanitarian action: How can NGOs mitigate and adapt? The Conference will focus on the role that NGOs will play in adapting the way we work to be better prepared to climate and environment change and shocks and deliver so that we leave no one behind, especially in the humanitarian context when  delivering programmes to support refugees, displaced and vulnerable migrant populations.   

   ICVA is also calling for ideas from members and partners to contribute during the Annual Conference. For more information on the conference and the call for ideas, see the Virtual Annual Conference 2021 webpage. 

3. ICVA Case study: COVID-19 response in 2020 

   As the spread of the pandemic increased and more States started to undertake restrictive measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19, ICVA began to implement specific actions to support members in their planning and response to this unprecedented challenge. Read more about ICVA’s response in our Case Study: COVID-19 response in 2020. 

Forced Migration

4. UNHCR and NGOs in Europe dialogue 

   ICVA co-organised with ECRE and the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Europe on 18 February, the first thematic regional dialogue of the year between UNHCR and NGOs in Europe. The interactive dialogue focused on the views and perspectives from NGOs, OHCHR Regional Office for Europe, and UNHCR on the national independent monitoring mechanisms proposed in the Pact on Migration and Asylum by the European Commission. The dialogue also focused on current and future advocacy in the context of increasing pushback at Europe's land and sea borders. 

5. UNHCR-NGO monthly consultations 

   On 24 February 2021, UNHCR and ICVA co-organised the second consultations of the year with NGOs on a ‘Dialogue between NGOs and the High Commissioner for Refugees'. Following interventions from High Commissioner Filippo Grandi and ICVA's Executive Director, the discussion with NGOs focused on priorities for 2021, the protection and solutions implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR-NGO partnership, as well as current humanitarian emergencies. Notes of the meeting documents will be disseminated to participants and will be also available to ICVA members on ICVA webpage. More information on the monthly consultations including background, objectives, and participation criteria is accessible on the dedicated website here. 

6. Protection and Durable Solutions in the Western and Central Mediterranean situation 

   On 3 February, ICVA attended a virtual NGO Briefing on the recently released UNHCR’s Updated Risk Mitigation Strategy and Appeal for the Western and Central Mediterranean situation. This important meeting with UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean Situation, the Danish Red Cross, International Rescue Committee, and other NGOs focused on concrete assistance and protection for displaced populations, lessons and perspectives on movements along the Central Mediterranean routes. ICVA will follow-up in particular to share with NGOs advocacy related to the issue

7. The 2021 Nansen Award  

   On 9 February, ICVA organised an exchange with NGOs, the Permanent Missions of Norway and of Switzerland in Geneva, as well as UNHCR on the 2021 Nansen Refugee Award nomination process. The meeting was an opportunity for NGOs to exchange on the importance of the Nansen Award, and the follow-up process with laureates at regional and global levels. More information on the Nansen Award is accessible on UNHCR dedicated webpage. The meeting provided also opportunities to discuss with the Permanent Missions on various common topics of interest and work such as the Global Refugee Forum, Climate Action, the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on any of the above topics, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Financing

8. IASC Humanitarian Finance Results Group (RG5): 

   Beginning in March, OCHA will transition the co-chair role for RG5 from Marcy Vigoda, who will become the OCHA Head of Office for Ethiopia, to Alice Sequi, the current OCHA Chief of the Pooled Fund Management Branch. ICVA is the other co-chair. RG5 is continuing work to identify funding flexibility measures introduced during 2020 as part of COVID-19 response that should be transitioned into standard practice. During the January meeting of RG5 members discussed next steps on funding flexibility, including the ongoing work by UNICEF and OCHA to assess how well flexibility measures worked in 2020. Final recommendations will be issued before June 2021.

9. UN harmonisation and simplification:

   ICVA met with interested members in February to discuss re-engaging in the work to harmonise and simplify partnership agreements and other important technical aspects of UN-NGO partnership. A significant amount of work began in 2019 based on the Oxfam-led NGO analysis of contractual terms and conditions of UN agreements, however, COVID-19 response in 2020 delayed some of the follow-up efforts. In 2021, ICVA will work with members to organise bilateral discussions with agencies on key partnership issues, followed by joint discussions with NGOs and agencies on how to further harmonise agreements across agencies. We are particularly interested to hear from local or national partners that would be interested to actively participate in the working group focused on UN harmonisation and simplification. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

10. WFP Field Level Agreement (FLA) updates:

    In fall of 2020, WFP announced that adjustments would be made to the FLA templates for 2021. On Thursday 25 February, the WFP Partnerships Section hosted a session with NGO partners to share the new version of the WFP partnership agreements (FLA). The new version is reportedly focused on simplification of existing language, clauses, and annexes, without introducing substantial legal or operational changes. Note: this new version of the FLA will be rolled out in several pilot countries this year, however, discussion is ongoing on final locations.  ICVA will continue to engage with WFP on the FLA revision process and communicate changes to you as they are clear. 

Coordination

11. COVID-19 Vaccines 

    Humanitarian Buffer 

    In late March, the Gavi Board is expected to approve a plan for 5% of all COVAX vaccines to go into a Humanitarian Buffer, which will provide last-resort coverage to vulnerable people who are excluded from national vaccine plans. ICVA hosted a meeting for NGOs with WHO and the Global Health Cluster, outlining progress on the development of the COVAX Humanitarian Buffer and how NGOs can engage. Over 100 NGO representatives joined this discussion. 

    A guidance note on Messages for COVID-19 National Vaccination Strategies has been developed with the support of MSF, providing a resource for NGOs.  

    Vaccine Equity Declaration 

    NGOs are called to endorse the Vaccine Equity Declaration – calling for action to ensure that by the time World Health Day arrives on 7 April, COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in every country, as a symbol of hope for overcoming both the pandemic and the systemic inequities that lie at the root of so many global health challenges. You can find more messages, graphics and videos to support the Declaration in WHO’s social media toolkit.  

    Open Letter to States on Universal Access to COVID-19 Vaccines 

    On 8 February, ICVA and several other Civil Society organisations signed an open letter to States on Universal Access to COVID-19 Vaccines. The letter aimed to advocate and mobilise collectively for access to COVID-19 vaccines, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the rights of those left furthest behind.

12. . COVID-19 GHRP Update 

    The Final Progress Report for the Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) for COVID-19 was released in February. This report presents the achievements of the UN (and some NGOs) in the COVID-19 response during 2020. It includes a funding and resource mobilisation analysis and an update on the support provided by the pooled funds including to national NGOs. The report also reminds us that the COVID-19 crisis is not over, particularly in countries where large numbers of vulnerable people need humanitarian assistance to survive. Sustained support for all humanitarian emergencies, including the on-going work to address the primary and secondary impacts of COVID-19, is urgently required.

13. Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)  

    IASC Emergency Directors Group (EDG):   

    ICVA opened a call for expressions of interest to represent ICVA members at the IASC Emergency Directors Group (EDG).  The EDG has a focus on current crises and ensuring support is mobilised as required to meet urgent strategic and operational needs on the ground. 

    NGOs are represented at the EDG through the three NGO consortia members of the IASC – ICVA, InterAction and SCHR. Each of the consortia is allocated three seats, one seat for the Secretariat and two seats filled by operational NGO members on a rotational basis. 

    Since January 2016, ICVA has implemented a rotational system for NGO representation on the EDG, which ensures opportunity for increased participation, contribution and transparency. Selection will be on a combined individual and organisational basis and each NGO EDG representative takes on the role for a 2-year term. 

    For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

14. The IASC Principals:

    The IASC Principals met on 23 February and discussed the lead-up to the pledging conference on Yemen, held on 1 March. The humanitarian access to Tigray and concerns regarding gender-based violence incidents in Ethiopia were also on the agenda. On the COVID-19 vaccination, insistence on the monitoring and support to ensure that groups at risk of being marginalised/excluded from national vaccination plans are vaccinated, including through ongoing efforts to operationalise and resource the delivery of the vaccine in humanitarian contexts. The Principals endorsed the IASC PSEA Champions priorities focusing on bolstering PSEA country mechanisms; improving victim access to quality information and assistance, and strengthening coordination and coherence.

15. Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG) 

    On 10 February, OPAG held a meeting to discuss the findings of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation (IAHE) on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls (GEEWG). Future plans of the IAHE were also considered, including the Terms of Reference for the Yemen Response. More information on the ongoing work of IAHE as discussed by OPAG can be found here.  

    The IASC Operational Guidance on Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action was endorsed in February. This system-wide Operational Guidance, a first of its sort, will ensure concrete steps for data responsibility in all phases of humanitarian action. It is the result of an inclusive and consultative process, involving more than 250 stakeholders from the humanitarian sector. A launching webinar will take place in March 2021. 

    The Leadership in Humanitarian Action: Handbook for the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator was also finalised and disseminated in February. Drafted to support in specific UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators, the Handbook can serve as a reference to the entire humanitarian community. The Handbook also contains a supplementary booklet: the Concise Guide on Leading an Emergency Response is a compact and accessible tool which RCs can use in the event of a sudden-onset incident which might require humanitarian action. 

16. Update on IASC Results groups:  

    RG 1 Operational response:   

    ICVA and InterAction, as co-chairs of the sub-group on Bureaucratic and Administrative Impediments (BAI) have commenced a case study project that will be conducted in Nigeria, Venezuela and Afghanistan. The project will examine the various drivers and causes of BAI, how these impact operations, and the approaches taken by NGOs and the UN to address these either individually or collectively. The findings of the case studies will inform IASC Guidance for Humanitarian Country Teams on Addressing BAI, to be developed in mid-2021. 

    The RG 1 sub-group on Localization is finalising the process on inclusion of local and national actors in the group. 

    The sub-group is finalising the review process on new draft Guidance on the Inclusion of Local and National Actors in Coordination Structures. ICVA developed the initial draft of the guidance and worked with other Sub-Group members to refine and develop key indicators to support its implementation. During February this has been widely reviewed by IASC members, as well as national and international NGOs. The final version of the guidance is expected to be endorsed by the OPAG in the coming weeks. 

    (More on Localization in the MENA Region Section)  

    RG 2 Accountability and inclusion: No updates. 

    RG 3 Collective advocacy:   

    ICVA is supporting a process to identify suitable national NGO representatives to join the RG3.  

    RG 4 Nexus: 

    The work of RG 4 and related sub working-groups continues. 

    ICVA is organising a briefing and exchange between UN Development Coordination Office UNDCO and a variety of actors, including NGOs. The meeting will be organised in the framework of the IASC RG4 Community of Practice on the Nexus co facilitated by ICVA and WFP.   

    RG 5 Humanitarian Finance: See update above under ‘Financing.’ 

17. NGO Fora Support: 

    There has been continued work to enhance coordination capacity for NGO fora in the Horn of Africa through ICVA’s NGO fora support program. The South Sudan NGO forum participated in the NGO briefing to Permanent missions in Geneva on inclusive access to the COVID-19 Vaccines. Prior to the briefing NGO fora in the region held a call to discuss cross-cutting issues between different countries in the Greater Horn of Africa and provided inputs to the South Sudan forum. 

Navigating Change: cross cutting issues

18. Child rights 

    2020 UNICEF-NGO Partnership in Humanitarian Action Annual Consultation 

    Following the 2020 UNICEF-NGO Partnership in Humanitarian Action Annual Consultation “Working Together to Address Emerging Challenges”, which took place virtually in November 2020 and brought together 489 participants from 90 countries, ICVA and UNICEF are pleased to share the Consultation Summary Report and its Annex. The report includes key highlights from the sessions, follow-up actions and links to the videos available on replay on the platform. The Annex to the Summary Report provides links to key resource documents referred to during the Consultation.  

19. Civil society space in humanitarian action 
    

    Front Line Defenders publishes a "Guide to Secure Group Chat and Conferencing Tools."  In times of COVID-19, with teams increasingly working remotely, we all are facing similar questions: which communication platform or tool is best to use? Which is the most secure for holding the sensitive internal meetings? Which will have adequate features for online training sessions or remote courses without compromising the privacy and security of participants? Front Line Defenders presents this simple overview which may help you choose the right tool for your need. 
    The guide is available in English, Arabic, French, Russian, Spanish and other languages. 

    IRC White Paper (Feb 2021) – The Road to COVID-19 Immunity: Building Trust and Combatting Misinformation 

    As millions of people within high-income countries anxiously await their turn to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, not only will billions of people in low and lower-middle income countries not have access this year, but many that do will opt not to receive the vaccine due to mistrust or misinformation. Based on the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) experience and expertise working to combat infectious diseases within conflict and crisis-affected countries, we know that if information is scientifically accurate, but not adapted for local contexts, people are less likely to trust it and may look for answers elsewhere. These months are crucial to begin building trust, engaging communities, and increasing both knowledge and acceptance of the vaccine so that once doses do arrive, a successful rollout can occur.For those who would like to share research, guidance, tools, calls for action, lessons learned and best practices on civic space, please do not hesitate to visit ICVA’s Civil Society Space page and contact Nishanie Jayamaha This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

20. Climate and Environment action: 

    As a part of the Advisory Committee to draft the Climate and Environment Charter, ICVA together with the ICRC and the IFRC conducted a series of NGO consultations in the Asia-Pacific, MENA, Europe and the North and Latin America regions to provide much needed input from NGOs and civil society to the draft Charter. 

    During the consultation, the Advisory Committee has conducted over 18 consultations and presentations of the draft Charter with some 200 individuals in around 110 organisations - of which over 50 NGOs (national, international and local chapters of NGOs) were consulted through the process. It was an opportunity for NGOs to be a part of not only the Charter development process but also to provide more nuanced feedback concerning civil society when developing this series of short and clear commitments that could guide our efforts as humanitarians in relation to limiting the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on communities and reducing our own footprint.  

    You can visit ICVA’s webpage on Climate and Environment for more information on the draft Charter, and on how ICVA is engaging on the theme or contact Nishanie Jayamaha This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Region Specific

21. Regional Direction & Achievements Report:

    ICVA’s regional hubs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), established in 2013, foster proximity to members, NGO networks and partners in the region; expand representation to regional humanitarian and political actors; strengthen links between field realities and global policies and strengthen support and collective advocacy. Read about the latest achievements happening in the regions and ICVA’s plans for future direction.

22. Asia and the Pacific  

    Planning for the UNHCR Regional Consultation 

    ICVA is supporting UNHCR on the regional consultation process in collaboration with APRRN which will take place in the coming months. A survey was sent to NGOs to complete to get feedback on suggested themes and formats which will help shape the consultation process.   

    Information exchange on Myanmar  

    For the Regional Emergency Preparedness Working Group Meeting held in early March ICVA arranged with co-chairs (OCHA and IFRC) an interagency briefing on the dynamic and evolving situation in Myanmar and the region, which included updates from OCHA country colleagues and APRRN. It is part of broader efforts to support ongoing work of NGOs and the NGO fora who are monitoring the situation closely. In mid-February over 30 INGOs put out a statement on the situation in Myanmar which can be found here.   

    Scaling up Disaster Risk Reduction in Humanitarian Action as part of IASC results group 4 

    ICVA regional representative joined an ad-hoc meeting on Scaling up Disaster Risk Reduction in Humanitarian Action as part of IASC results group 4 (hum-dev collaboration) in which an update was shared by OCHA and UNDRR colleagues on the Recommendations and a Checklist on Scaling up DRR in Humanitarian Action which is being piloted in Pakistan, Haiti and Bangladesh. ICVA will stay engaged in the process through participation in the interagency review group which will undertake a review of DRR in 2021 HNOs and HRPs, to help update the checklist to be released towards the end of this year.  

    For more information contact, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

23. Africa Region 

    Regional Advocacy Support for the East Africa region 

    The recruitment process for a Regional Advocacy Support for the East Africa region is in progress and we hope to be able to contribute soon to the work of the NGO fora in the region with enhanced advocacy around humanitarian principles, humanitarian access and role of NGOs.   

    ICVA has held discussions with its various partners to enhance learning opportunities in the East Africa region on Humanitarian Principles and Architecture. Once finalised these trainings will be offered to Humanitarians in coordination with the in-country fora.  

    In February, ICVA Africa has been meeting with IOM Somalia to discuss about their interest in enhancing the relations with national actors for strategy, planning and implementation.  

    Planning for the UNHCR–NGO consultations 

    ICVA has been working with UNHCR to collect information from NGOs on the regional UNHCR – NGOs consultations to be held this year. The rate of response to the survey has been satisfactory and progress is being made in defining the format and content of the consultations.  

    ICVA Africa has been working to organise a meeting between ECHO Regional office and the Regional offices of NGOs in Nairobi. The meeting will be held virtually in early March.   

    Study on inclusive coordination mechanisms 

    In collaboration with the London Schools of Economics, there will be a study to identify alternative and innovative coordination mechanisms that are inclusive of national and local actors. The LSE team has been exchanging with key actors to collect information.  

    West and Central Africa support 

    ICVA will enhance coverage of West and Central Africa with the support of a consultant in charge of analysing coordination and partnership patterns in the region proposing and actively advocating for the needed adjustments.  

    For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

24. MENA Region 

    Localisation in MENA:  

    On 23 February 2021, ICVA in MENA participated in a seminar conducted by the regional NRC office on partnerships and localisation in MENA. ICVA MENA Representative participated with colleagues from NRC in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and OPT presenting ICVA key recommendations and best examples related to localisation in MENA. Also, presenting the findings of the recent research on Localisation in MENA with key recommendations on strengthening the role of the local actors and on how to have partnership as organisational principle not only as operational principle 

    Throughout February, ICVA in MENA supported local actors and collected final applications to join RG 1 Localisation sub-group, which is led by Stella Ogunlade, UNHCR Chief of NGO section and Nimo Hassan, Director of Somali NGO Consortium with the support of Eman Ismail, ICVA Regional Representative for MENA. The main objective is to have 50% of the total number of members are local NGOs at the IASC RG1-subgroup on localisation. In addition, the IASC RG1 subgroup on localisation members has developed the draft guidance and associated indicators on Strengthening Participation, Representation, and Leadership of Local and National Actors in Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms was disseminated and followed up on by ICVA. This aims to guide Humanitarian Country Teams in supporting the meaningful participation of Local and National non-governmental humanitarian actors (L/NAs) in IASC coordination structures. It is built on the Interim COVID-19 Guidance on Localisation, which was endorsed by IASC in April 2020  

    Localisation Report Launch 

    On 3 March ICVA MENA hosted a report launch event on the report entitled, “Localisation in Humanitarian Leadership: Profiling National NGO Engagement in International Humanitarian Coordination Structures in the MENA Region.” The main objectives of the event was to share the findings and recommendations with ICVA members, representatives of UN agencies and donors in the MENA region. Furthermore, this event is meant to encourage discussions and debate about progresses and challenges. ICVA MENA team will continue to share evidences and case studies derived from this updated research for advocacy and policy discussions related to localisation.  

    UNHCR Regional Consultations 

    As a proactive communicator and supporter to UNHCR during the regional consultations, ICVA in MENA circulated a survey throughout February that will inform format, topics, and content of the consultations to be held later this year. This will support a participatory approach to the consultations. 

    Yemen Pledging Conference:  

    On 18 February ICVA hosted an NGO-Donor Briefing meeting in advance of the High-Level Yemen Pledging Conference. This briefing highlighted the priorities of the donor co-hosts as well as presented NGOs an opportunity for feedback, questions, and comments.  

    Additionally, in preparation for the Yemen Pledging Conference, ICVA and the local CSOs network in Yemen developed a pre-recorded joint statement, calling for increased funding, transparent and inclusive coordination, principled partnership and ceasefire. This will be presented on OCHA Yemen event webpage. 

    Virtual Opening ceremony with Syrian CSOs Networks in Turkey, 5 February 2021: 

    ICVA MENA team and partners from the Syrian CSOs Network joined together for an initial ceremony to open up the newly established venue by the local Syrian networks for meetings to deliver trainings for all Syrian networks and NGOs operating in Gaziantep, Turkey.  ICVA provided key messages during the event to emphasise on the meaningful partnership with the Syrian networks, focusing on the collaboration with UNDP, OCHA and other partners to strengthen the role of the local Syrian actors. 

    Briefing Event on the Launch of the 3RP-Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan 2021-2022. On 4 February: 

    ICVA MENA participated in the briefing session which was organised by the 3RP Co-Leads from UNDP and UNHCR Regional offices to present the 2021-2022 Regional Strategic Overview to the partners and donors. ICVA’s MENA Representative joined as a keynote speaker and focused on the statements on the role of NGO actors in the 3RP plans, the effective coordination and engagement of local and international NGOs at the regional Syria response Plans.   

    In addition, ICVA MENA Representative has been invited to join the evaluation task force that is established this month by the two 3RP co-leads.  The overall objective of the evaluation is to 1) assess what has, or has not, worked well in terms of the 3RP to date in relation to the reasons for and principles behind its creation. 2) to assess and generate recommendations on ways in which the 3RP can further evolve and respond to the changing context across the region.  

    For more information about the working happening in the MENA region, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

25. Latin America Region 

    Meeting on accessing COVID-19 vaccines in the region 

    On February 26 the ICVA-FM4 team participated in the States-NGO Briefing meeting “Leaving no-one behind: supporting effective humanitarian action during COVID-19 and beyond”. In this event LATAM representative shared key aspects of the vaccination process in Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua and Mexico. The region shared challenges in accessing vaccines for refugees and migrants as well as vulnerable populations such as indigenous groups and internally displaced persons due to violence. 

    The ICVA-FM4 team participates regularly in REDLAC meetings, a group that recently completed 18 years of continuous work in the region. As part of the priorities of the working group, it is considered necessary to give the Nicaragua Action Plan a greater visibility.  

    For more information about the work happening in the Latin America region, contact: lThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Learning Opportunities

26. Risk Management in Practice 

    ICVA and PHAP’s fifth online Learning Stream “Risk Management in Practice” provides a platform for the NGO community to share their current practice, discuss, and learn from one another in order to better understand how to manage risks when working in the humanitarian sector and apply it in their day-to-day work. You can find the recordings and podcasts of the previous webinars on the webpage. Keep an eye-out for the last webinar of the series to be held in April. 

    Joint publication with ICVA & CHS Alliance - coming soon!

    At the end of the tumultuous year of 2020, CHS Alliance and ICVA invited 15 humanitarian leaders from among their shared members to participate in a project exploring the risks and opportunities associated with staff well-being and organisational culture. The upcoming paper, “Leading well? Aid leaders reflect on staff well-being and organisational culture” will be available soon on the ICVA website and in preparation to its release, CHS Alliance made a teaser page and a podcast discussing several of the themes from the paper has been released as part of the Embodying Change series. As a reminder, in December we received a preview of the paper in form of a webinar organised together with PHAP, with the recording available here.

27. ALNAP will be revising their popular guidance Evaluating humanitarian action using the OECD DAC criteria. To that end, they are seeking to set up an advisory group to contribute expertise, knowledge and suggestions to the process. While the guidance has provided practical support for evaluation professionals for many years, user feedback suggests that many challenges and considerations still remain when applying the criteria in various humanitarian contexts. 

    If you are interested in being part of the group, please write to Susanna Morrison-Metois before 15 March to express interest. A ToR and a detailed concept note about the process can be found on the ALNAP website. 

28. “Sphere in Practice” online training and MOOC 

    The Sphere massive open online course (MOOC) will take place over five weeks between 21 March and 3 May. It includes assignments, moderated discussion forums and interactive webinars. Being part of the MOOC helps participants exchange with fellow students, discuss with expert practitioners, expand their network and make the most of their learning experience. Alternatively, student can take the self-paced version of the training and complete the course in 8-10 hours. 

    Find out more information and watch a trailer video.

29. Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies just released their new course catalogue for 2021-22. See what they have to offer! 

    ICVA’s Learning opportunities and resources page: 

    ICVA’s learning resource page is a curated list of learning and training programmes. Please share with us any interesting opportunities that would be useful to include on the webpage. For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    New and Noteworthy

30. InterAction’s 2021 virtual Forum:  23-25 March 2021 

    InterAction’s goal for the Forum is to bring voices, insights, and vision during these challenging times, as we join with others committed to more sustainable and just societies. InterAction Member NGOs are actively responding to the global pandemic, racial tensions, global poverty and instability, climate change, and human displacement—we are stretched as never before as the world risks losing a decade of progress against the SDGs. This is an opportunity to learn from and with global leaders as we navigate this unprecedented moment together. This will be a powerful opportunity to connect directly with U.S.-based development and humanitarian NGO leaders. Check out the full Forum agenda here. 

31. HERE Conference – What next? From Analysis to Solutions - 16-18 March 2021 

    Over the last months, the research centre HERE-Geneva has been in dialogue with many parts of the sector for its research Beyond the pandemic to make sense of the way the sector is changing. As part of this research project, HERE is organising the conference What next? From Analysis to Solutions, taking place on 16-18 March 2021. This is a virtual hands-on interactive conference that will take place intermittently over three days to account for different time zones. More information can be found on the registration page. The conference will open with a conversation with Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC.

32. Sphere launches new strategy for 2021-2025 

    Sphere hopes you will play a role in contributing to their strategic priorities over the next five years, sharing with them any progress and achievements each year. Their annual plans will be aligned with the agreed strategic priorities. With its new strategy, Sphere aims to reinforce its leadership role in promoting the global relevance, importance and consistent application of humanitarian standards for accountability to affected communities, through a global Sphere community of purpose and practice. 

33. Survey on Decision-Making Behavior in Humanitarian Crisis  

    In humanitarian crises, decisions have to be made under uncertain, risky, time- and resource-constrained circumstances. These circumstances likely have an influence on people's behaviors. And certain behaviors are known to influence decision-making positively or negatively. Through this survey, which is part of a PhD research on humanitarian decision-making conducted by David Paulus at Delft University of Technology, the aim is to understand what behaviors are common in decision-making in humanitarian crises. The findings will help develop and experimentally test new decision support interventions that take identified behaviors into account to improve humanitarian decision-making.  

34. CARE recently shared its Score Card Report

    "Time for a Better Bargain: How the Aid System Short changes Women and Girls in Crisis". The report assesses the largest institutional donors, lead humanitarian UN agencies and CARE against benchmarks on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (GEEWG) in humanitarian interventions, including funding to women’s organizations, funding for GEEWG, participation and leadership of women in UN agencies and in humanitarian coordination structures, etc.

35. Survey on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) innovations in humanitarian settings 

    The Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies (GCHS), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Science Practice is conducting a study on behalf of Elrha to explore sexual and reproductive health (SRH) innovations in humanitarian settings. They are interested in innovations including, but not limited to, new or significant adaptations to products, technologies, services, delivery methods, processes, approaches or policies that address important problems in humanitarian SRH.

    If you know of an innovation taking place, complete the 15-minutes online survey in English, French or Spanish, to provide details of the innovation and help map where, how and why innovation is taking place. 

    If you have any questions about the research, please contact Anne Golaz This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Kimberley Popple This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..