About ICVA

The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) is a global network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that advocates for effective humanitarian action.

Founded in 1962, ICVA brings the experience and views of over 70 national and international NGOs, to international policy-making forums. ICVA also provides its members with up-to-date information and analyses on policy developments in humanitarian response and provides support in certain field situations.

How ICVA Adds Value to its Members Work

With the realisation that no single humanitarian agency is able to respond to all humanitarian needs, humanitarian actors must collaborate in order to share experiences, learn from each other, and respond effectively to needs. An essential feature of ICVAs capacity are its links with NGOs from developing countries. As the only global humanitarian NGO network, membership in ICVA gives NGOs unique opportunities to engage with other actors and each other on humanitarian policy issues, and to make sure the voices of southern NGOs are heard on the international policy level. The Principles of Partnership, endorsed by the Global Humanitarian Platform (GHP), underline ICVA’s commitment to enhancing effective humanitarian action through partnership. In addition, ICVA has an exclusive role with UNHCR, ICVA keeps its membership updated through updates on its website, by email and the occasional newsletter, Talk Back.

Policy and Advocacy

Policy needs to be informed by humanitarian practice. Based on its members' field experience, ICVA participates in international policy debates that have a direct impact on humanitarian response and coordination in crisis affected areas.

ICVA's members are active in inter-agency initiatives such as the development of guidelines that allow members to access and share information that, in turn, helps to increase the quality of their work in the field. In all of its policy work, the main rationale for ICVA is to narrow the gap between the reality on the ground and the policy-making level. ICVA plays an active role in UN-led humanitarian reform discussions, given its privileged access to key humanitarian forums such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the UN's main humanitarian coordination body, and UNHCR's Executive and Standing Committee. ICVA works on the strategic policy issues of common concern to NGOs including, but not limited to:

Accountability

Humanitarian Financing

Humanitarian Reform (NGOs and Humanitarian Reform Project)

IDPs

Protection

Principles of Humanitarian Action (Code of Conduct)

Quality and Minimum Standards of Humanitarian Response (Sphere Minimum Standards)

Refugees

Relevance in the Field

Following discussions with members, ICVA will examine how it can best provide support for NGO coordination in response to new emergencies. In some situations, ICVA has provided additional capacity in the form of an NGO Liaison Officer.

For information on ICVA’s recent involvement in the field during crisis situations, please click here.

Haiti; NGO Coordination Support following the earthquake in January 2010

Myanmar; Deployment of an NGO Liaison Officer in response to the cyclone in 2008.

Sudan; Supporting INGOs following the government action against civil society actors in March 2009

ICVA's Structure

ICVA’s General Assembly of members meets once every three years and holds ultimate responsibility for formulation and review of policy and programmes. The General Assembly elects an Executive Committee, which meets at least twice a year to decide on more detailed activities and ensures that the network is following the strategic direction set by the General Assembly. The ICVA Secretariat is based in Geneva and implements the work plan and priorities decided by the General Assembly and Executive Committee. The Secretariat maintains regular communication with the membership in order to provide and solicit information.

Joining ICVA

Members would benefit from belonging to a diverse membership, consisting of national NGOs, and NGO networks. Members also receive regular e-mails and information on key humanitarian debates, encouraging participation and collaboration, as well as access to high-level policy-making bodies.

Details on how to apply for membership, as well as a list of members can be found here

Contact Information

International Council of Voluntary Agencies
26-28 avenue Giuseppe Motta 1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)22 950 9600
Fax: +41 (0)22 950 9609
E-mail: secretariat@icva.ch