Join VOICE

VOICE is the largest network of European NGOs implementing principled humanitarian action and supporting crisis-affected people worldwide since 1992. It is recognised as the main NGO interlocutor with the EU on humanitarian action.

By joining VOICE, your organisation becomes part of a recognised network engaging directly with EU institutions, shaping policy, and amplifying the role of NGOs as key humanitarian actors.

Influence EU policy and decision-making

VOICE represents its members towards the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States, ensuring that humanitarian principles and needs-based humanitarian assistance inform EU policies, strategies, and programming. Members contribute to joint NGO positions, engage with EU officials on humanitarian priorities, and participate in structured dialogues on funding and implementation.

Defend principled humanitarian action

VOICE works to ensure that humanitarian action remains needs-based and grounded in humanitarian principles, while voicing the shared concerns and interests of NGOs in EU processes. This includes raising concerns where political priorities may affect humanitarian principles and collectively advocating for independent, needs-based humanitarian action.

Access information and expertise

Members receive information on EU humanitarian policies, programmes, funding mechanisms, and emerging trends, including regular briefings on EU funding instruments, updates on policy developments, and exchanges on operational and compliance requirements.

Strengthen coordination and cooperation

VOICE facilitates exchanges, coordination, and collaboration among members, contributing to the professionalism, credibility, and collective impact of the sector. This includes working groups, members’ meetings, and opportunities to align positions, share operational experience, and identify common priorities.

Be part of a recognised European network

As a collective platform, VOICE promotes the role and added value of NGOs as key humanitarian actors and expressions of European solidarity, including through joint publications, events, and shared messaging.

Shape common positions and priorities

Members contribute to joint positions and engage in dialogues with EU institutions and the wider humanitarian community, including through policy papers, consultations, and coordinated advocacy.

Ensure representation of NGO interests

VOICE represents the NGO community in key discussions and negotiations, helping to defend an enabling environment for humanitarian action, including funding conditions, operational constraints, and broader policy frameworks.

VOICE Members 

VOICE members use their expertise and understanding of the operational realities to bring the NGO’s humanitarian perspective to the EU institutions and Member States. Through joint advocacy messages, VOICE seeks to influence EU policies and practices affecting the implementation of principled humanitarian action.

Membership criteria

1. Being registered in a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area for at least two years at the date of affiliation as a non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation according to the national legislation.
2. Be operational in implementing principled humanitarian action, base their interventions on International Humanitarian Law and Principles, the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and have high-quality standards of professionalism and expertise.
3. Have safeguarding policies and adequate reporting mechanisms in place.
4. Operate without discrimination regarding race, nationality, gender, political, ethical, religious, or any other aspects.
5. Have an interest in influencing the EU humanitarian agenda and policies, agree with the aim of the association, and engage to contribute to its activities as formulated in Part II of the VOICE Statutes.
6. Be recommended by at least two VOICE member organisations.

Steps to follow

1. Organisations wishing to become a member need to express their interest by writing to the VOICE Secretariat at VOICE@voiceeu.org.
2. A membership application form is provided to the applicant organisation who shall complete it and send it back to the VOICE Secretariat with all required documents.
3. Once the application file is completed, two senior representatives of the applicant organisation will be invited to discuss their application and motivation to join the network with two members of the VOICE Board of Directors and the VOICE Membership & Finances Coordinator.
4. The whole VOICE Board of Directors will review the application and based on the recommendation by the two interviewers, decide whether to recommend the applicant organisation to the next General Assembly.
5. The recommended applicant organisation will be invited to the next General Assembly to introduce the organisation and motivation to join the network. It is an exclusive power of the General Assembly to vote on the approval of new members.

For further information, check out the VOICE Statutes, “Part III. Members’ rights and obligations”.

If you have any questions or would like to express your interest in receiving the membership application form, please send an email to VOICE@voiceeu.org

We look forward to hearing from you!