History of ICVA

The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) was formed in Geneva in March 1962. It began with 60 members as one of the first cooperation mechanisms for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and by the 1970s its membership had grown to 87.

ICVA’s initial purpose was:

“To build cooperation in refugee matters and extend this out to other areas.

To open doors to work in all areas of voluntary agency activity that could benefit from a structured liaison, coordination information exchange and professional services.”

Key activities

• ICVA is founded through a merger of three organisations focusing on refugees and migration
• UNHCR presents ICVA with the Nansen Refugee Award
• The Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR) is formed

ICVA grew in confidence, reach and membership. It elected a governing body of 20 members, who appointed an Executive Director. Two working groups emerged to address refugee and migration and development issues, and their sub-groups focused increasingly on Africa, Central America, China and the Middle East.

Areas of focus

ICVA continued to work in both the areas of humanitarian assistance and development. The effect of the international debt crisis on people living in poverty came into sharp focus, and efforts were made to improve humanitarian responses to natural and man-made disasters.

Key activities

• The Management for Development programme and the NGO Management Network are created
• A resource centre opens and ICVA publishes guidelines, statements and ICVA News
• Regional meetings take place in Central America, the Horn of Africa and Sudan

ICVA continued playing an important role in the NGO sector. It was recognised as a unique global forum for NGOs to discuss opinions, share strategies and information, coordinate actions and forge partnerships. It provided an essential interface with governmental and inter-governmental bodies, enabling NGOs to participate in UNHCR’s Partnership in Action Programme (PARinAC). ICVA generated an income of $1 million and its membership increased to almost 100 organisations.

Areas of focus

ICVA continued to support its members to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and disaster. Until its rebirth at the end of the decade, ICVA was also promoting the development of economic, environmental, social and cultural sustainability. There was collaboration on advocacy, constituency building, capacity building, and other external challenges, such as building relationships with governments.

Key activities

• ICVA works with more NGOs, UNHCR and intergovernmental organisations
• A Code of Conduct emerges concerning humanitarian aid in disaster situations
• ICVA is heavily involved in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia
• ICVA begins to reassess its development and humanitarian focus
• The World Aid ’96 exhibition ends in financial disaster, triggering a crisis at ICVA
• A streamlined ICVA emerges, refocusing on refugees and the humanitarian agenda

ICVA arrived in the new millennium refreshed and with a clear purpose. Its 2003 mission statement focused on promoting and advocating for human rights and bringing a field-based humanitarian perspective into global debates and responses. There was no longer any reference to the development agenda. ICVA’s membership fluctuated during this time, beginning and ending the decade with 71 members, and it had an average income of about CHF 767,000.

Areas of focus

ICVA worked tirelessly to strengthen humanitarian principles and standards. It focused on protection, security and human rights, and the interface between NGOs and the military, all within the context of the ‘War on Terror’. Information-sharing, community-building and advocacy were core aspects of ICVA’s work.

Key activities

• ICVA increases its attention on protection, security and human rights during the ‘War on Terror’
• ICVA works to build an NGO community and increase interactions with the UN
• 2005 sees multiple large scale crises: Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami and Pakistan’s earthquake
• ICVA plays a major role in the selection of a new UNHCR High Commissioner
• Principles of Partnership (PoP) forms the basis of inter-agency humanitarian work

ICVA became more diverse and inclusive than ever during this period, enabling local and national NGOs to get more involved and be better heard. It brought diverse actors together, respecting their differing views and harnessing the power of the collective. It expanded its global presence by establishing member-hosted regional hubs as a framework for national NGOs to engage internationally.

Areas of focus

ICVA’s key focus areas were forced migration and displacement, humanitarian coordination and finance, strategic partnerships, and cross-cutting issues.

Key activities

• ICVA establishes regional hubs enabling it to expand its global representation
• ICVA hosts the Sphere Project, an inter-agency initiative, between 2013 – 2016
• The 2016 World Humanitarian Summit increases recognition of ICVA’s value in the humanitarian sector
• ICVA collaborates with InterAction to set up a joint NGO coordination function
• Accountability and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse are prioritised
• An online information toolkit is published in English, French and Arabic
• ICVA supports NGOs to respond the COVID 19 pandemic

Nansen medal award

1964 ICVA general Conference

1968 Cyril Ritchie

ICVA news