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.  Be registered, for at least two (2) years at the date of application, as a non-governmental and not-forprofit organisation (NGO) under national law, in a Member State of the European Union, a former Member State, a candidate country to the European Union, a member of the European Economic Area, or Switzerland;
2. Be operational in international humanitarian action and 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 democratic governance and transparent management and accountability structures, safeguarding policies and adequate reporting mechanisms in place,
4. Operate without discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, nationality, gender, political conviction, or religious belief;
5. Demonstrate an interest in influencing the EU humanitarian agenda and policies, agree with the objectives of the Association and commit to contributing to its activities as formulated in Part II, 
6. Be recommended by two (2) VOICE member organisations. 

Steps to follow

1. Submission of Applications
   Any organisation wishing to become a member shall submit a written application to the VOICE Board of Directors. The applicant organisation shall complete the official membership application form and return it to the VOICE Secretariat together with all required supporting documents.
2. Review by the Board of Directors
   Completed membership applications shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors. A meeting shall be organised between senior management representatives of the applicant organisation and members of the Board of Directors. The purpose of this meeting is to enable the Board to verify compliance with all membership conditions, to gain a fuller understanding of the applicant, and to discuss mutual expectations regarding potential membership.
3. Decision of the Board of Directors
   Following its review, the Board of Directors shall decide whether to recommend the applicant organisation to the General Assembly (GA) for membership approval, request additional information or reject the application. The decision of the Board shall be communicated to the applicant in writing.
4. Rejection of applications
   Applicants whose membership application is rejected shall have no right of appeal. They may submit a new application once they meet all membership criteria.
5. Presentation to the General Assembly
   If the Board of Directors decides to recommend an applicant organisation to the General Assembly (GA), a senior representative of the applicant shall attend the GA meeting and present the membership application.
6. Decision of the General Assembly
   The GA shall make the final decision on whether to admit the applicant as a member. The applicant shall be informed accordingly. If the GA rejects the application, no appeal shall lie against such decision, and no reasons are required to be provided. 

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!