The last few months has seen the finalisation of activities of the Sphere Project in its current form. We are currently under-going changes in strategy to promote Sphere with a greater emphasis on facilitating the work of others at national and regional levels.

April also sees the start of a new governing structure in the form of a Sphere Board. We are please to announce the addition of CRDA Ethiopia (Christian Relief and Development Association) and World Vision International to the new Board. They bring with them not only a commitment and considerable experience in the promotion of the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards, but also a greater reach to Sphere users and increased diversity within the Board. The Governance Structure has also been slightly updated, and a brief communication from the new Board members will soon be available on our website.

As part of their demonstrated commitment to supporting improved quality and accountability through more effective application of Sphere, and in recognition of its NGO/IO genesis and management, the Board will ensure core funding, through annual contributions. This will ensure a minimum level of support to Sphere and its users independent of other donor contributions.

At the end of 2004, the position of Senior Assistant, held by Careen Abb was completed. The Project Officer post, which was held for 5 years by Veronica Foubert was also completed. The Sphere Project would like to say a big thank you for the significant contributions that both Careen and Veronica were able to make to the development and dissemination of Sphere. The two positions will be replaced (funding allowing) by an Information Manager and Materials and Training Support Officer. The consultation highlighted the importance of communication with existing and potential Sphere users. The Information Manager position will therefore be developing communications and information/data gathering on Sphere use and user needs as well as examining further the impact of Sphere has in contributing to improved quality and accountability in disaster response. It is expected that these positions will be advertised in the near future, including via the mailing list and website.

Training has been an important element of supporting the effective use of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards. It was confirmed by the previous Management Committee of the Sphere Project that Training of Trainers (ToTs) will continue to be part of Sphere learning.

We are currently under discussion to potentially support a ToT course in the Middle East which would be in Arabic. There are also other discussions underway, which may result in a ToT in the Pacific region. We will keep you informed via the mailing list and website of further developments.

Unfortunately the Indian publishing house who had initially agreed to carry out the publication pulled out at the last minute from the work. We now have other contacts for South Asia, and hope in the near future a low cost version for South Asia will be available, making it more accessible to national organisations and governments. We will keep you informed!

This 60 page document is now complete and available in English, French and Spanish. The document it is hoped, will transfer knowledge and experience of 3 ‘master trainers’ in the process of carrying out the Sphere ToT courses and contribute to the effectiveness of those who work to facilitate learning within the humanitarian community. The document is targeted at those working to develop new humanitarian trainers and to help those who are involved in processes of national or regional institutionalisation of Sphere.

The full version in English is now available on the web, and the executive summary will be available on the web in the 3 languages before the end of April. See below for further details on the evaluation

This meeting brought together representatives of all the countries involved in country level piloting to share lessons and experiences of working in inter-agency collaboration, on the uses of Sphere in each country, and on implementation strategies and activities. It was decided to broaden the group and to include other key practitioners that, to the knowledge of the Sphere office, have been active in the use and institutionalisation of Sphere at the field level in other countries. The meeting therefore was an “official” closure of the Sphere country pilot programme, as well as an opening for future collaboration and sharing between Sphere practitioners.

This document is designed to provide 'raw material' for those using Sphere in a particular context, that could be adapted as appropriate to that context. For example, the material could provide:
- the basis for materials designed for use at community level (including perhaps cartoons)
- supporting information for presentations to government/donors/other NGOs/UN
- examples for use in workshops and training on Sphere.

Findings from the review included that 69 respondents (30% of ToT graduates) had carried out at least 439 training events reaching over 5434 people and only 12% had not carried out any training event. This equates to over 6 training events per person, with each ToT graduate reaching at least 78 people each. Training was felt to have been value for money and the quality of training materials produced is good, useful and easy to apply and adapt. There are several recommendations around information management, engagement of a training manager, and continued support to ToT graduates, needs to be discussed by the management committee. The consultants had difficulty in making contact with ToT graduates leaving 70% of graduates out of the consultation.