13. Sphere Standards Revision

Wednesday, 25 February 2009
The Sphere Project is pleased to announce the start of the
Handbook revision process.

TIME FOR A NEW REVISION
Since the launching of its first edition in 2000, and after the revised edition in 2004, the Sphere Handbook has become one of the most widely recognized tools for improving humanitarian response, not only by NGOs but also, and increasingly, by United Nations agencies, host governments, donor governments and other actors involved in humanitarian response. The success of the Handbook reflects the fact that Sphere is responsive to the needs of people responding to disasters, and is considered a relevant and‘living’ document. For the Sphere Handbook to remain relevant to humanitarian workers and to the populations affected by conflict and calamity, Sphere needs to keep in touch with changing practices in the context of humanitarian work, as well as technical innovations. To this end, and acknowledging the significant changes that have taken place since the 2004 edition, the Sphere Board has decided that the Sphere Project Handbook – Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response – should be revised. The new edition is planned to be published late 2010.

PURPOSE OF THE REVISION
The purpose of the revision process is not to change the qualitative standards, nor to overhaul the Handbook. Rather, it is to update the qualitative and quantitative indicators and guidance notes as needed, enhance linkages between sectors, iron out inconsistencies, faults and important omissions from the 2004 edition. Latest developments in the sector are also to be taken into consideration, such as issues around climate change, disaster risk reduction, protection, the Humanitarian Reform process and the cluster approach, among others.

For further information, please read:
• Revision proposal 2
• Compilation of the feedback about the revision of the Sphere Handbook
• Sphere handbook revision scoping - Compilation of responses

PROCESS & FOCAL POINTS
Following the successful precedent set by earlier revisions, this process will also be broadly consultative, and based on establishing consensus for the changes that will be made. Through a robust and widespread process of engagement among practitioners in each sector, each of the five chapters and the Cross Cutting issues of the current Handbook will be revised by volunteer focal “working groups” (made up of up to ten representatives consisting of key practitioners, researchers, readers/writers), as well as a peer group, and led by a focal point. In addition, the Humanitarian Charter will be reviewed and revised as felt appropriate.

The overall revision process will be managed by a Sphere Project Revision Coordinator. Working closely with the focal points and other members of the Sphere office team, the Coordinator will be responsible for reviewing and finalising the text, for approval by the Sphere Board..
For further information, read:
• Revision Focal Points list


TIMELINE – Key dates
1. Revision Preparatory work March-April 2009
Each Focal Point is expected to prepare an initial preparatory report including:
1. List of the working and peer groups members.
2. Presentation of the latest developments related to the topic since the last edition based on evidence-based research and reports from the field and review of any other standards that may have been developed.
3. Consolidation and analysis of the feedback received from the working group.
4. Major suggestions and recommendations for the new edition.
5. Plan for the revision including the global/regional/local consultation that you intend to have and a simple budget.

For further information, read:
• Revision preparation information

2. First revision Workshop 11-13 May 2009, Geneva
The objective of this launch workshop is to bring ALL focal points together in addition to the handbook editor, project team, and representation from the Sphere Board. During the workshop, each focal point will present the initial findings and recommendations resulted from the preparatory work. We will agree also on the main milestones of the revision and how to coordinate the work of the focal points to ensure inter-sectoral linkages and the appropriate integration of Cross-cutting issues. We will also agree on how to communicate between the Revision coordinator and the different focal points. The handbook editor will provide guidelines and recommendations to facilitate the final editing of the handbook.

3. Mid term workshop 28-30 September 2009 (location to be decided)
The objective of this workshop is to present an outline of the chapter/topic, with an indication of a) proposed changes in structure and content and b) overlap or shared issues that require joint discussions, for example the cross cuttings issues, the evolving common standards and linkages with the technical chapters and emerging issues that need more thoughts. Gaps, overlaps and conflicts are to be identified and resolved.

4. Final workshop 13-15 January 2010 (location to be decided)
The main bulk of the field consultations should occur between May and December 2009 leading to the elaboration of a first draft which will be presented and discussed during this workshop. A first complete draft is expected to be submitted before the workshop in December 2009. The draft should present a consolidation and an analysis of the consultations with the working group and at the filed level. Cross-cutting issues focal points are expected to provide their input in this first draft as well.

5. Final draft ready by end March 2010
The final draft should be submitted to the revision coordinator before the end of March 2010 revised based on the feedback of the January 2010 workshop and through a wide Peer Review across the sector. The final draft will then be handed over for the editorial process with the close involvement of the focal points.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Comments are encouraged from national and international NGOs, UN agencies, donor, governments especially those where disaster response frequently takes place, academic institutions and other humanitarian actors. To make sure that your and and/or your agency’s experience, insights and technical expertise inform the Sphere handbook revision, please:
1. Tell us directly what do you think by filling the online handbook revision feedback form, or
2. Get directly in touch with the Focal Points to provide them with your feedback, suggestions and recommendations or to express your interest to be part of the working or peer review groups. The Focal Points (listed here) come from NGOs and UN agencies that have generously donated staff resources. In addition to their regular work with their respective agencies, they are responsible for managing the revision process, or
3. Run a separate local/regional or community level consultation meeting.
Find here some guiding questions to help you run those meetings.

For more information about the process, please write to Aninia Nadig,
Sphere Materials Senior Officer, the Sphere Project, email:

KEY DOCUMENTS
• 1. Revision preparation information
• 2. Revision Focal Points list
• 3. Revision Guidelines
• 4. Revision Proposal
• 5. Compilation of the feedback about the revision of the Sphere Handbook
• 6. Sphere handbook revision scoping - Compilation of responses
• 7. Handbook Revision flyer

Terms of Reference
• ToR for Focal Points
• ToR for common standards focal points 5
• ToR for facilitator revision meetings