NEAR

What NEAR does

NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a non-profit civil society organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, operating as a Global South-led movement of local and national civil society organizations (CSOs). The network comprises 372 member organizations across 51 countries, organized into four regional structures — Africa (124 members), MENA (121 members), Asia-Pacific (88 members), and Latin America & Caribbean (39 members) — supported by 19 national partners, 20 national localization labs, and two regional labs. NEAR addresses the structural marginalization of local actors in international humanitarian aid, where only 3.6% of humanitarian funding reached local and national organizations directly in 2024, by building collective power to influence policy, funding flows, and aid-system design. Its primary beneficiaries are local CSOs seeking flexible funding and political voice, and ultimately crisis-affected populations in the Global South served by member organizations.

NEAR's core offerings are organized around four strategic pillars — Movement Building, Influencing, Solutions, and Learning — with the Change Fund as its flagship product. The Change Fund is a flexible, demand-driven, locally-led pooled funding mechanism launched in 2022 and governed by an elected Oversight Body of NEAR members, capable of approving grants within 48-72 hours. NEAR has replicated this pooled-fund model regionally through the Bulsho Fund in Somalia (2021), CORE Fund in Nepal (2023), and AASHA Fund in Asia-Pacific (2025). The network also operates Localization Labs as regional platforms for peer learning and experimentation, produces flagship research (e.g., 'Building More Locally Led Aid Ecosystems,' drawing on 260+ practitioner inputs), maintains the Global South Locally-Led Pooled Funds Database, co-hosts the Advisory Panel on Humanitarian Action with ODI Global, and participates in the Grand Bargain initiative. NEAR does not develop proprietary technology platforms; its 'products' are programmatic mechanisms and funding instruments rather than software.

NEAR's revenue model is grant-based and donor-funded rather than commercial. The organization receives institutional grants from government donors (notably Norway via Norad, which awarded NOK 69 million over three years starting 2026 as part of Norway's Humanitarian Strategy) and foundations. Go-to-market is community-led: NEAR grows through member onboarding, regional summits (Nairobi, Bogotá, Kathmandu, Bangkok, with a Global Assembly in Qatar scheduled for October 2026), and advocacy campaigns rather than conventional sales. The Secretariat operates with 1-10 staff, consistent with a lean coordination body that distributes funding and influence through its 372-member network. Pricing is not applicable as the organization does not sell products or services.

Name

NEAR

Legal name

Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR)

Website

https://near.ngo

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a Nairobi-based non-profit movement of 372 local and national civil society organizations across 51 countries, providing flexible pooled funding, Localization Labs, and collective advocacy to advance locally-led humanitarian action in the Global South.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Humanitarian Pooled Funds & Rapid Response Financing (BPADAOAK), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid localization
• Civil society networks
• Pooled funding mechanisms
• Disaster response grants
• Capacity building CSOs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: NEAR operates primarily through grants from institutional donors including Norway (Norad), with NOK 69 million awarded over three years. The organization also receives support from various foundations and government agencies committed to humanitarian reform and localization.
2. Pooled Funding Mechanisms: NEAR manages the Change Fund and CORE Fund as flagship pooled funding mechanisms that channel flexible, unrestricted grants to local and national CSOs for disaster response and resilience building.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NEAR operates a Global South-led movement of 372 local and national civil society organizations across 51 countries that channels pooled grant funding, capacity-building, and collective advocacy to advance locally-led humanitarian action. Its flagship offering is the Change Fund, a flexible pooled funding mechanism with grants approved in 48–72 hours, complemented by regional pooled funds (CORE Fund in Nepal, AASHA Fund in Asia-Pacific, Bulsho Fund in Somalia), Localisation Labs in four regions, and policy/influencing initiatives such as the Advisory Panel on Humanitarian Action and Grand Bargain participation.

Product overview

NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a movement of local and national civil society organisations from the Global South, not a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of funding mechanisms and programmatic initiatives organized around four pillars: Movement Building, Influencing, Solutions, and Learning. The flagship product is The Change Fund, a flexible pooled funding mechanism launched in 2022. Other key offerings include the CORE Fund in Nepal, AASHA Fund in Asia-Pacific, and Bulsho Fund in Somalia. NEAR also operates Localisation Labs across four regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, MENA, LAC) and maintains a Global South Locally-Led Pooled Funds Database. Advisory initiatives include the Advisory Panel on Humanitarian Action and participation in the Grand Bargain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Change Fund: A flexible, demand-driven and locally-led pooled funding mechanism that supports rapid and impactful emergency response for communities in need.
• CORE Fund
• Localisation Labs

Products and services

• The Change Fund NEAR's flagship flexible, demand-driven and locally-led pooled funding mechanism for emergency response and humanitarian action. Grants are approved within 48–72 hours by an elected Oversight Body of NEAR members and channel support to local and national CSOs responding to crises.
• CORE Fund (Nepal Resilience Fund) A locally-led pooled fund mechanism in Nepal governed by a consortium of Nepali NGOs that channels flexible, unrestricted resources to communities at risk of disasters, with a focus on resilience building such as landslide protection and strengthening local government DRR systems.
• AASHA Fund The first community-centred, regionally governed pooled fund in the Asia-Pacific region, launched at the 2025 Kathmandu Summit. The name means 'hope' in many Asian languages and the fund mobilises resources for local organizations to deliver dignified crisis responses.
• Bulsho Fund A local funding mechanism in Somalia established in 2021 that provides flexible and unrestricted grants to communities for both short-term disaster relief and longer-term development work, including programs validated by Save the Children Denmark.
• Localisation Labs
• Global South Locally-Led Pooled Funds Database A searchable database expanding NEAR's network of locally-led pooled funds as the funding landscape shifts, helping organisations look beyond traditional aid funding and connect with Global South pooled mechanisms.
• Advisory Panel on Humanitarian Action An independent, time-bound collective of Global South and Global North leaders supported by NEAR and ODI Global that provides strategic proposals on transforming humanitarian action. The panel includes civil society leaders, former UN officials, government advisors, and financing experts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Change Fund grant approved in 48 hours, response initiated within 2 weeks of crisis
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ODI GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2025ODI Global supports the Advisory Panel on Humanitarian Action, an independent collective of Global South and Global North leaders that provides strategic proposals on humanitarian action reform.
• Save the Children DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSave the Children Denmark representative Bassey Nyambi visited Somalia programs funded by the Bulsho Fund, providing external validation and support for locally-led funding models.
• Advisory Panel on Humanitarian ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent panel of Global South and Global North leaders including civil society leaders, former UN officials, government advisors, and financing experts. Co-hosted by NEAR and ODI Global.
• Asia Pacific Local Leaders (APLL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional coalition of local leaders from 9 countries advancing locally-led humanitarian action through the Kathmandu Covenant and AASHA Fund. APLL is a movement ecosystem within NEAR's broader network.
• Oxfam IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxfam in Indonesia is transferring power, resources, and legitimacy to the Penabulu Foundation as part of localization efforts, demonstrating INGO commitment to shift power to local actors.
• National PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEAR works with 19 National Partners and 20 National Labs across 51 countries. These partners serve as anchor organizations within their national contexts, coordinating localization initiatives and network activities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CARE International: Leading humanitarian and development INGO operating globally with localization commitments. Comparable as a large INGO whose practice reforms NEAR seeks to influence and whose funding choices affect localization agenda.
• IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies): World's largest humanitarian network with National Societies in nearly every country. Comparable as a globally distributed humanitarian network model, though established by governments and far larger than NEAR.
• OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs): UN body coordinating humanitarian response across crises globally, including the Grand Bargain initiative NEAR participates in. Comparable as a humanitarian coordination actor that NEAR's advocacy targets and partners with.
• Oxfam International: Global confederation of organizations focused on poverty alleviation and humanitarian response, with explicit localization commitments. Comparable as an INGO that NEAR engages with on power-shifting and whose Indonesian affiliate (Oxfam Indonesia) is documented transferring resources to local actors.
• Humanity & Inclusion (HI): Large international humanitarian organization working on disability inclusion in humanitarian response. Comparable as an INGO operating across similar geographies and themes, though not a network of local CSOs.

Direct peers

• ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies): Global network of humanitarian NGOs focused on influencing humanitarian policy and improving NGO operational capacity. Comparable as a membership-based advocacy and coordination body serving voluntary agencies in humanitarian response.
• CHS Alliance: International alliance of humanitarian and development organizations promoting accountability and quality standards (Core Humanitarian Standard). Comparable as a membership-based organization focused on improving humanitarian sector practice and accountability to affected populations.
• Start Network: UK-based network of humanitarian NGOs operating Start Fund, a rapid-response pooled funding mechanism for local crisis response. Most directly comparable to NEAR's Change Fund model and NGO network structure, though UK-headquartered and Global North-led.

Regional players

• Interaction (American Council for Voluntary International Action): US-based coalition of international NGOs engaging on humanitarian and development policy. Comparable as a membership network of NGOs doing collective advocacy, though primarily US-focused and representing INGOs rather than local CSOs.
• Bond (UK network for international development): UK membership body for NGOs working in international development. Comparable as a membership organization coordinating NGO advocacy and practice in the development/humanitarian sector, though UK-focused and not Global South-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NEAR_Network
• Facebookfacebook.com/Network.NEAR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/network-for-empowered-aid-response

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NEAR