Sphere Newsletter # 12

Sphere Project Newsletter No. 12 (December 2002)
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Table of contents

2. Relationship between the independent evaluation of the Sphere Project and the handbook revision

3. Institutionalization process: Next Steps

1. Year-end Overview

During this year, the project completed some key activities and launched other critical work. The primary objectives of the project – improving the quality and accountability of disaster response – remain unchanged and are as relevant at the beginning of 2003 as they were in the year of its conception (1997).

For example, in a May 2002 meeting, the twenty NGOs from around the world took stock of their two-year effort in institutionalising Sphere. The meeting was based on findings and lessons learned over the past two years (request report from sphere@ifrc.org: Institutionalising Sphere; A great start… next steps ). Based on this lessons learned document and three days of deliberations, the pilot agencies suggested that the Sphere staff re-focus the piloting work. The refocus – exploring in greater detail the application of Sphere in three countries - will concentrate on learning at the field level. For more information, please see point 3.

The Sphere Training of Trainers courses are yielding excellent and far-reaching results. These activities range from single and inter-agency workshops, to incorporation into academic classes, to countrywide dissemination efforts. We are pleased that the French and Spanish programs generated so much enthusiasm –particularly in Latin America.

The selection process for the Training of Trainers course scheduled for January 2003 is now complete.

2. Relationship between the independent evaluation of the Sphere Project and the handbook revision

The handbook revision and the independent evaluation of the Sphere Project
These two concurrent and complementary processes are generating interest around the world. The revision of the handbook has been an important scheduled part of the project since its inception, building upon lessons drawn from those who are using the book. The Sphere Management Committee has always known that the handbook must be updated for it to remain relevant to the practice of disaster response. The current revision process is based on feedback received over the past three years as well as on a very broad-based consultative process (to date, over 30 meetings in 23 countries with over 600 practitioners). The revision includes an update on the technical sectors, but it also involves foregrounding the assessment, analysis, monitoring and evaluation standards as well as the participation and human resource standards. The revision is also working to incorporate seven cross-cuttings issues (children, women, elderly, disabled, HIV/AIDS, environment, and protection).

On the other hand, the evaluation terms of reference reflects the Sphere Management Committee's interest in the process and the impact of the Sphere Project. Although the evaluation will look at the manual as an important product, the evaluation is looking more broadly and is primarily concerned with understanding and measuring the impact of the Sphere project as a whole. Specifically, the evaluation will look to establish whether or not the use of the Humanitarian Charter and the Minimum Standards and key indicators has encouraged increased advocacy, improved project assessment, analyses and design, and whether the use of the handbook has encouraged disaster-affected population participation?

The project office and the handbook revision Focal Points recognize that the evaluation may uncover technical issues not already captured by the revision process and consultations. To make use of these insights, the project office has organized meetings between the evaluation team and the Focal Points for discussion. One planned outcome is that the initial analysis of the evaluation questionnaire will be made available to the Focal Points for consideration in the revision process.

3. Institutionalization process: Next Steps

We are continuing the institutionalisation of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards, focusing on the work of pilot agencies in three countries/regions (El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua in Central America, India, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) rather than globally. This initiative responds to the recommendations expressed by the Sphere Pilot agencies in their last meeting (May 2002). The programme is designed to use our resources in order to gather lessons learned and documented case studies on the application of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in these countries.

The overall objective is to improve the performance of agencies involved in disaster response through the continued learning and the institutionalization of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum and to further understand the scope of Sphere.

Initial preparations and information from the country level will be made available in the next newsletter.

If you would like to receive future newsletters in French or Spanish, please contact Elly.Proudlock@ifrc.org specifying the language of your choice.

The Sphere Project
P.O. Box 372
1211 Geneva 19
Switzerland

E-mail: sphere@ifrc.org
Tel: (4122) 730 4501
Fax: (4122) 730 4905
www.sphereproject.org