Start Network Membership
Our members are highly diverse, ranging from small NGOs to large internationals, those with specific niches and areas of expertise to those covering the whole spectrum of humanitarian assistance. Together they make the Start Network what it is today, and the value they find in being part of the network is at least equally matched by the value the Start Network places in having them part of this collective.
The future of membership
Start Network members have decided to shift Start Network to a model of national and regional hubs. For this to happen, membership of Start Network can no longer be centralised - instead, membership will be devolved to the hubs themselves.
Five hubs were selected in 2019 – the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India, the Pacific region, and Pakistan – to be in the first cohort of founding hubs. The founding Hubs and the model to support them is being tested through a Proof of Concept phase, through which we aim to learn how to support a global network of hubs at scale.
During this Proof of Concept phase, in order to grow the infrastructure needed at the hub level, Start Network membership will primarily only be open to organisations in those five countries/regions.
See the Start Network’s Membership Policy for more information on membership benefits, rights and obligations.
To find out if your organisation may be able to join as a member, follow the form at the bottom of this page.
Member benefits
Why be a member of the Start Network?
Influence
Influence and co-create innovative and collaborative approaches
Access
Access to new funding, resources, information, knowledge, expertise and relationships
Capability
Opportunities to build the capabilities of your organisation, staff and systems.
Partnerships
Opportunities to collaborate and build effective partnerships globally.
Start Network enables its members to access fast and dependable funding for responding to under-the-radar crises. It also enables members to join a movement with a clear vision for shifting to a more decentralised and proactive humanitarian system. Start Network gives members the tools to do this and a platform and voice to facilitate change.
Feedback from our members has helped us to understand our value, which we have grouped into five main themes: a shared vision, a financial infrastructure, technical services, a convening platform and finally a voice for change.
Shared Vision
Start Network has a very clear vision: to create a proactive, innovative and locally owned humanitarian system that enables the delivery of better quality humanitarian aid, maintains the dignity of people caught up in disasters, and saves more lives and livelihoods. Through this vision, our members are able to meet their commitments to change the current system to be more relevant and appropriate.
“Being part of a global NGO network challenges us all to think about how we can work better together to change and improve how the humanitarian system works.”
[Nick Guttmann, Head of Humanitarian Division, Christian Aid]
Financial Infrastructure
Start Network provides a financial infrastructure that offers timely, efficient and predictable funding to support at-risk populations, empowering members with the necessary resources to act effectively and efficiently.
“The Start Fund has helped foster early preparedness and rapid response action within our country teams and our local partners.”
[Noreen Gumbo, Head of Humanitarian Programmes, Trocaire]
Technical Services
The Start Network provides tools and resources to support our products, expertise in specific areas such as trigger-systems for risk financing and business development, and novel systems such as tiered due diligence. These technical services have enabled members to improve their ways of working.
“The experience of due diligence has led to us initiating a process to refine our information methods.”
[Graciela Colunga, Executive Director, Asociacion Pro-Vida]
Convening Platform
Start Network provides a convening platform, enabling diverse and equitable partnerships and collaborations. Through the network, members gain access to a global community of organizations and stakeholders, building a wider range of relationships than they could develop on their own.
“Because of the Start Network, we have been able to develop friendships, create short term partnerships, give and receive feedback on our work and that of others, and learn innovative ways of responding to a crisis.”
[Erika Glanz, Director of International Emergencies and Operations, CADENA organisation]
Voice
Finally, the Start Network ensures that all members have a voice. Inclusion in decision-making (from peer-led funding allocation decisions to network-wide governance and shaping our strategic direction) affords our members a strong voice, empowerment and visibility at a global scale.
“An added value of the Start Network is the empowerment to bring another voice, another experience to the table.”
[Karen Janjua, Associate Regional Director (Strategy and Partnership), Community World Service Asia]
More about our members
Find out if you can join the Start Network
