The association

Better humanitarian practices …

Groupe URD is a research, evaluation and training institute. Our area of expertise is humanitarian action and post-crisis reconstruction. We aim to help improve practices and consequently improve the situation of crisis-affected people.

From 1993 to 1997, Groupe URD was an NGO discussion group which focused on linking emergency and development aid. After 1997, it broadened its horizons in response to the numerous theoretical and operational challenges faced by the aid sector in crisis and post-crisis contexts.

Today, Groupe URD works on themes which are specific to each operational sector (Nutrition, Water and sanitation, Protection, Urbanism, etc.) as well as on cross-cutting issues such as aid quality, the environment, disaster risk reduction and prevention and LRRD.

Our work is aimed at humanitarian operators, donors, international and national institutions, United Nations agencies and NGOs.

Our activities are all part of “the collective learning cycle”, a methodological approach with 5 pillars:

Evaluation and analysis: Drawing lessons from experience via evaluations and operational research;

Innovation : Developing tools and methods;

Dissemination: Managing knowledge and sharing it with humanitarian actors via publications, conferences and discussion forums;

Training and support: Strengthening the capacity of humanitarian actors via training courses and organisational support;

Influence: Promoting better quality in aid through advocacy in order to improve the conditions in which humanitarian action is implemented.

Groupe URD is a non-profit association (as defined by the French law of 1901). The governing board, which is elected at the annual general meeting, meets each trimester to validate strategic decisions.

The current Governing Board is: