When crises strike, local organisations are often the first responders, but they frequently operate with limited resources, recognition, and decision-making power. Older people, in particular, have often remained on the margins of humanitarian responses. Over the past five years, HelpAge International has worked with its network members to address this gap by strengthening local organisations so they can lead more confidently, respond more effectively, and ensure older people are meaningfully included in humanitarian action.
This effort has been guided by SHAPE, an organisational capacity-strengthening framework known as Strategic Humanitarian Assessment and Participatory Empowerment. It helps organisations assess their own strengths and gaps, and then strengthen leadership, governance, influence, and emergency preparedness through a long-term, partner-led process. Designed to be age-inclusive, SHAPE combines self-assessment, tailored capacity building, funding support, and ongoing accompaniment to improve both readiness and response during crises.
Over time, SHAPE has shifted focus from isolated project improvements to broader organisational strengthening. Many participating organisations report stronger governance systems, improved policies, and greater confidence in engaging with humanitarian coordination mechanisms. Several have also improved their ability to mobilise resources, with some securing new funding after enhancing their compliance systems, strategies, and organisational structures.
The approach has also strengthened external influence and visibility. In countries such as Ukraine, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Nepal, and El Salvador, HelpAge network members have contributed to national coordination platforms and policy discussions, helping ensure that older people’s needs are included in humanitarian planning. Some organisations have also gained recognition from international partners and agencies for their ability to reach vulnerable and marginalised groups.
A key strength of SHAPE has been its partner-led design, which allows organisations to define their own priorities and lead their own development pathways. This autonomy has helped build confidence and long-term sustainability, with organisations reporting improved ability to develop proposals, align with donor expectations, and secure strategic funding. Peer learning and cross-regional exchanges have further strengthened collaboration, enabling organisations to share experience, tools, and practical lessons.
Equitable partnerships have been central to the SHAPE approach. Network members highlight that being treated as equal partners rather than implementers has transformed trust, communication, and decision-making. This shift has encouraged more open dialogue, flexibility, and shared responsibility, allowing organisations to better respond to changing humanitarian contexts and emergencies.
An independent evaluation of SHAPE confirmed its strong impact, particularly in improving governance, inclusion policies, accountability systems, and emergency preparedness. However, it also identified ongoing challenges, including ensuring meaningful participation of older people in programme design and addressing risks related to staff turnover, funding uncertainty, and long-term sustainability of reforms.
Going forward, HelpAge International aims to strengthen peer mentoring systems, support funding diversification among partners, and further embed older people’s participation in governance and programme design. SHAPE continues to evolve as a dynamic, learning-based approach that demonstrates how trusted, locally led organisations can build more inclusive and effective humanitarian responses.
