Study of the European Commission's cooperation with the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA)

The Network of Humanitarian Action (NOHA) is an international association of universities that aims to enhance professionalism in the humanitarian sector through higher education accredited courses. This study provides an independent assessment of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations' (DG ECHO) cooperation with NOHA since the creation of the network in 1993, looking at the relevance, coherence, EU added value, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and visibility of the network and the activities it offers. The findings revealed that the network's activities are, on the whole, relevant to the needs and priorities of the sector, that NOHA's activities are coherent and effective, and provide EU added value. The data available for this study does not allow a full analysis of the efficiency on the network's activities. The network has taken steps to increase its sustainability, but this aspect requires further progress. The study recommendations include (i) the development of clearer working methods, including needs assessment, stakeholders engagement plan, curriculum and course mapping, (ii) strengthening the network in terms of internal capacity and external outreach, (iii) further adapting the training offer to the relevant audience and introducing more innovative teaching methods and (iv) strengthening cooperation with DG ECHO.