SHAPE, which stands for Strategic Humanitarian Assessment and Participatory Empowerment, is a framework designed to strengthen the capacity of local organisations to respond effectively to crises. Originally developed in 2015 under the Start Network’s Shifting the Power programme, SHAPE was adapted by HelpAge International to be age-inclusive, ensuring that older people and other at-risk groups are fully involved in planning and humanitarian response. Its overarching goal is to enable local organisations to act quickly and efficiently during emergencies while leaving no one behind.
For HelpAge, SHAPE supports its mission of protecting the rights and dignity of older people by guiding network members to assess their readiness for emergencies and improve their capacity. The framework focuses on three main areas: governance and leadership, which emphasizes strong leadership, clear strategies, and skilled teams; influence, which builds relationships and ensures older voices are heard; and preparedness and response, which ensures that actions are effective, inclusive, and informed by the communities affected. Together, these areas provide organisations with a practical roadmap to move from planning to tangible action.
The SHAPE process begins with a self-assessment, where organisations identify strengths and gaps, then prioritise areas for improvement. With guidance from HelpAge, they develop a two-year plan supported by funding that can be used for a variety of improvements, such as upgrading systems, revising strategies, updating policies, or hiring expert coaches. Beyond funding, SHAPE emphasizes partnership, with HelpAge providing ongoing support, reviewing systems, facilitating training, and offering guidance. Plans are flexible and can be adapted if emergencies arise, with timelines and budgets adjusted as needed.
SHAPE is designed to be adaptable to different contexts, recognising that each country and community faces unique challenges. Whether responding to floods in one region or preparing for conflict in another, the framework allows organisations to tailor their approach while keeping older people at the centre of humanitarian planning and response. Monitoring and evaluation are integral to SHAPE, with HelpAge providing a toolkit that tracks both short-term progress and long-term impact on communities and older people, ensuring that successful practices can be identified and scaled.
Beyond organisational strengthening, SHAPE promotes learning and knowledge-sharing through the Kaya platform, which offers e-courses on age inclusion and humanitarian skills, as well as live sessions and regional workshops on emergency preparedness, needs assessment, and inclusive coordination. Workshops conclude with simulation exercises, allowing participants to apply what they have learned in realistic scenarios.
As humanitarian crises become increasingly frequent and complex, SHAPE provides local organisations with the tools and support needed to respond effectively. By building stronger, age-inclusive systems, SHAPE helps ensure that older people and other vulnerable groups are protected and included, improving both the speed and effectiveness of humanitarian response.
