VOICE stands for Voluntary Organisations in Cooperation in Emergencies. It is a network representing 83 European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in humanitarian aid worldwide. Unlike its members, VOICE is not operational.

VOICE's overall vision is a collective European NGO response to humanitarian crises. To reach this goal, VOICE seeks to influence the policy and practice of the European Union regarding emergency aid, relief, rehabilitation and disaster preparedness. It enhances the collective influence of the network's members with the EU, including its Member States. It promotes respect for International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian principles, and endroses quality and effectiveness in humanitarian action.

In the humanitarian aid sector, VOICE is the main NGO interlocutor with the European Union promoting the comparative advantages and specificities of NGOs in aid delivery. It also engages in dialogue with other major providers of humanitarian aid, such as the Red Cross and relevant UN agencies.

VOICE main objectives are:

 

To advocate for independent humanitarian action

VOICE monitors the implementation of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid  and advocates  for the consistent application of the humanitarian principles contained within it. NGOs' added value and expertise are brought to the attention of the EU and  Member States' decision-makers. Thematic working groups draw together VOICE members' experience in the areas of disaster risk reduction (DRR), the European Commission's contractual partnership requirements (FPA), civil-military relations and the UN-led humanitarian reform process.

 

To facilitate members' collective influence

VOICE facilitates the collective influence of its member NGOs on EU-humanitarian aid-related policies by developing advocacy strategies and policy positions. Established dialogue and regular exchange with EU institutional and Member State actors are used to promote NGO positions. VOICE also ensures relevant information sharing within the network on EU context and trends, while engaging member organisations in working groups and capacity-building activities. 

 

To support quality and professionalism

VOICE supports a high level of quality in its members' humanitarian aid responses.  VOICE contributes to members' professionalism through information-sharing, workshops, and linking with quality networks and initiatives, universities and research institutes.