FAQs
Why do you have ‘opt-in’ coalitions?
Crisis Action’s partners have the choice of whether or not to opt-in to each initiative. This avoids the need for ongoing consensus, which can cause paralysis and working to the lowest common denominator, and enables highly-focused responses that are underpinned by strong positions and rapid action.
Why does Crisis Action work behind the scenes?
By working solely behind the scenes, Crisis Action avoids replicating work or competing with partners, and can instead devote its energy to multiplying the impact of civil society’s joint work. Acting as a neutral arbiter ensures that our partners see that we are working in their interests to deliver quick and impactful results to advance social change. So you will never see Crisis Action mentioned in the media, though the stories we facilitate will feature prominently in the headlines.
How do you support partners in the global south?
Crisis Action has a long track record of working with Arab and African partners from our MENA and Nairobi offices. We support these partners to engage directly with key Arab and African decision-makers and to enable them to secure greater media coverage for their efforts. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means that we can provide capacity building support to organisations without experience in advocacy and campaigning. Crisis Action is also looking at how we can increase engagement with other countries that have emerging influence over global decision-making on conflict.
Who are your partners and how do you work with them?
See the Partners section.
How do you choose which conflicts to work on?
See Our work section.
What is different about Crisis Action’s model?
Crisis Action has pioneered a new approach of developing and coordinating ‘opt-in’ coalitions to develop specific, highly focused campaigns. Organisations have different mandates on individual conflicts and may struggle to bring together coalitions on their own. Crisis Action acts as an honest broker, helping diverse organisations with a wide range of perspectives to identify and forge a shared agenda. We bring together organisations and individuals with complementary talents and resources to create bespoke teams for specific campaigns. High-level policy makers repeatedly testify to the increased effectiveness of NGOs working coherently together. By designing and coordinating joint work, we help multiply the impact of our partners’ responses to current and emerging conflict-related crises leading to better protection for civilians.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to coordinate joint NGO advocacy and campaigns that help to avert conflict, prevent human rights abuses and ensure governments take decisive action to protect civilians in conflict.
Do you work with communities directly affected by conflict?
Crisis Action helps civil society leaders from countries affected by conflict to speak directly to key decision-makers and to the global media. Our offices support them in everything from arranging visas and travel to fixing extensive advocacy and media itineraries in US, Europe and Africa. Where necessary, we also offer training to help delegates make the most of their opportunity to testify directly to those in power.
Where can I find information on your current and past campaigns?
A brief summary is including in the Our work section of the site. A full account of past campaigns is detailed in our annual reports.
Who are your funders?
See the Funders section.
What is your vision?
Crisis Action’s vision is to build a global network of civil society organisations able to take forceful joint action across continents to protect civilians from conflict.