Star Network has provisionally accepted Caritas India into membership. The membership was recommended by India membership committee through an application process and approved by the Start Network Assembly. Caritas India is one of the four NGOs from India that will test this new due diligence framework, alongside 8 other organisations in Pakistan and DRC.

Start Network is a global network of NGOs to work together with new financial tools to enable faster needs-driven response by organisation on the front line of crisis.

The annual meeting of Start Network was hosted by Qatar Charity (QC) at Doha from October 1-2, 2019 with the participation of some 87 representatives from 41 member organisations, comprising major international and regional humanitarian NGOs.

During the meeting, 12 charity organisations from India, Pakistan, and Congo were welcomed into the membership of Start Network, increasing the number of Start Network’s members to 53.

The Start Network is developing a new form of membership that will enable a wider range of organisations to join the journey to transform the humanitarian sector.

The meeting was the key moment for the charity’s members to come together including the first batch of new members in 2 years; which was also joined by the Network’s new leadership, CFOO Suzanne Lyne and Christina Bennett as CEO.

During the two-day Assembly, Start Network members collectively explored and learned about important topics for the Network including due diligence, the Start Financing Facility, and a refreshed brand.

Members also took part in collaborative build sessions harnessing learning to tackle shared challenges, and decisions on the Network’s future and strategic direction with a renewed focus on localisation, new financing and collective innovation.

The two-day annual gathering also discussed the network strategy, propose an action plan, governance and transparency issues, as well as many matters related to its effectiveness, capabilities, and cooperation among its members on humanitarian issues.