Welcome to topic 2 of 6 of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies' Learning Stream - Demystifying Humanitarian Financing. This topic is about demystifying NGO access to UN funding.  We recommend you take Topic 1 before this section. 

The recent World Humanitarian Summit reaffirmed the importance of NGO access to humanitarian financing. However, with the exception of well-resourced organizations, the majority of NGOs have a limited understanding of and influence over decisions related to humanitarian financing – and by extension, limited direct access to humanitarian financing.

In light of this, the ICVA have created an online learning stream aiming to demystify the complex humanitarian financing landscape. The stream specifically targets NGO staff, including field, policy and HQ staff. Short videos and briefing papers will help simplify complex topics. Webinars, held in partnership with PHAP, are open to anyone interested in improving their understanding of humanitarian financing. Our topics include:

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Is this course for me?
Primary Audience: NGOs with limited exposure to - and understanding of - humanitarian financing mechanisms. Focused specifically on NGO staff engaged in policy, strategy, resource mobilization and organisational leadership.

Secondary Audience: All other NGO staff, other humanitarian actors; general public etc.
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How will I benefit from this course?
On completion of this course you will:
  • Have a stronger understanding of the various humanitarian financing mechanisms, and the challenges and opportunities experienced by NGOs in accessing funding.
  • Be better informed to engage in further discussions; influence policy where possible; and, access humanitarian financing.
  • Awareness of some UN funding mechanisms available to NGOs
  • Familiarity with the overall procedures for grant approval and monitoring with WFP and UNHCR
  • Awareness of the main trends and challenges for NGOs accessing UN funds
  • Knowledge of the different sources of information on UN funding
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How long will it take?
 It should take you about 2 hours to complete

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How much does it cost?
 This course is free.

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Will I get a certificate at the end?
 Yes! You will be able to download a certificate after you have completed all the modules and the feedback form.

The word START and a question mark in a circleHow do I start?
 Click on       Join        button on this page. This will take you through to the course modules. Don't worry, if you stop a module halfway through, you can always continue later from where you left off.

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PHAP Credentialing Program: Understanding the Humanitarian Ecosystem

This webinar will help you prepare for the PHAP Credentialing Program certification in Understanding the Humanitarian Ecosystem.

In particular, the webinar will address segment 2.6 of the certification assessment outline. It also addresses some aspects of segments 1.5, 2.3, 2.5, and 3.1

Read more about the PHAP Credentialing Program