Humanitarian Observatories: Building a Knowledge and Advocacy Network on Humanitarian Governance

Introduction

This project aims to test, demonstrate, and validate the effectiveness of country-based Humanitarian Observatories as a way for localized knowledge-building and reform in the humanitarian field to be advanced from crisis-affected places. As a development of the ERC-funded HUM-GOV project, Humanitarian Observatories are envisioned as a locally embedded knowledge and advocacy network – a means through which humanitarian governance can be understood, reimagined, or reformed from ‘below’.

Background

Humanitarian needs stemming from various forms of crisis are escalating, with over 301 million people—or more than 1 in 27 individuals worldwide—relying on humanitarian assistance for survival. As the demand for humanitarian aid rises, collaborative efforts with local and national partners are crucial.

However, it has been a long-standing critique that humanitarian programming is most often top-down. Despite efforts for reform within the sector, the influence of actors from crisis-affected countries remains limited, and the voices of affected populations are often left out of policy development and strategy, reinforcing unequal power relationships between international aid providers and local actors.

Contribution of Humanitarian Observatories

Humanitarian Observatories contribute to addressing this challenge. Contextually rooted, multi-actor, and self-governing, Humanitarian Observatories, established in areas affected by crises, create space for relevant actors to come together to:

• Research
• Advocate
• Work on priorities that they set for humanitarian action and reform in their context.

Project Goals

Building on the groundwork laid by the HUM-GOV project, this proposal seeks to test and refine the potential of Humanitarian Observatories through research and network-building activities. Over 18 months, the project will focus on:

1. Refining methodologies and partnerships
2. Connecting Observatory-generated knowledge with policy/practice realms
3. Developing strategies to maximize innovation potential while overcoming organizational inertia.