Founded in 1962, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) serves as a global bridge between NGOs and global humanitarian policy-making bodies, including UN agencies, member states and donors. With nearly half of its 178 members headquartered in the Global South, and collective reach via over 8,000 associated organizations, ICVA ensures diverse voices are represented in international arenas to ensure decisions impacting humanitarian response reflect operational realities and capacities.

ICVA engages with the International Civil Society Centre as a valued Affiliate partner, collaborating on shared priorities including power shifting, inclusion, innovation, and global civil society influence. While not a shareholder, ICVA contributes meaningfully to joint initiatives and sector-shaping dialogues convened by the Centre.

ICVA values the strong and growing collaboration with the International Civil Society Centre. In a time when civil society space is under threat and humanitarian needs are rising, our joint efforts are critical to strengthening solidarity, accountability, and impact across sectors. Together, we’re working to ensure that international civil society remains a driving force for principled and inclusive action in the face of today’s global challenges.

Jamie Munn, Executive Director, ICVA

ICVA’s focus on forced migration, humanitarian financing, principled humanitarian action, and agile partnerships aligns closely with the Centre’s strategic pillars of Futures & Innovation, Collaboration, and Convening. These shared values have led to co-hosted events—such as Global Perspectives—as well as mutual learning through platforms like the Solidarity Action Network (SANE). The Centre’s Futures work informs ICVA’s long-term thinking, while ICVA brings deep regional expertise, operational knowledge, and thematic leadership into the global civil society conversation.

Together, ICVA and the Centre amplify the voice and power of civil society actors working in complex, often fragile, contexts. Through this partnership, ICVA not only contributes to shaping the future of our sector but also benefits from the Centre’s convening power, strategic foresight, and peer network.