EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034

The EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034 is a certification (not a grant) under the Humanitarian Aid Programme that accredits humanitarian NGOs as DG ECHO partners and is required to apply for future DG ECHO action grants; the call opens 17 November 2026 with continuous submission until the final deadline of 30 June 2033 (17:00 Brussels time). Applicants must demonstrate organisational and operational capacity, including starting at least one humanitarian project of at least €200,000 in each of the previous three years, audited financial statements for two consecutive years, a quick ratio above 0.5, positive equity and operating income above €2 million for each of the last two accounting periods unless transitional provisions apply. A compulsory independent ex ante assessment by an external auditor using the Commission template and ISAE 3000 standards is required, with Block 1 pass/fail questions and Block 2 scored criteria (overall average ≥6/10 and no question <4/10) determining certification. The certificate confers eligibility to apply for action grants but provides no direct financial contribution and certified partners remain subject to DG ECHO monitoring, suspension or withdrawal for non-compliance.

What it funds

Purpose and outcome

This is a certification call (not a project grant). Successful humanitarian NGOs are awarded an EU Humanitarian Partnership certificate that makes them eligible to apply as DG ECHO partners for action grants under the Humanitarian Aid Programme. The certificate promotes long-term quality partnership, adherence to humanitarian principles, transparency and internal control.

Applications are submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Required documents include the Application Form (Parts A and B), the independent Assessment Report by an approved external auditor (using the Commission template) and a Declaration of Honour. The call is continuous; submit well ahead of any planned first HIP funding application to allow for assessment time (evaluation typically 3-4 months).

Footnotes

1. 1Full call documentation, templates and guidance are on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034.

Opportunity summary

The European Commission (DG ECHO) issues a continuously open call for certifications to award EU Humanitarian Partnership certificates (HUMA Certificate) to eligible humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The certificate is an EU quality accreditation required for NGOs to become DG ECHO partners and to apply for action grants under the Humanitarian Aid Programme. The call opens on 17 November 2026 and remains continuously open until the final deadline of 30 June 2033 (17:00 Brussels time). Applications are submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal submission system. The certification is based on an independent ex-ante assessment by an independent external auditor, provided by the applicant as part of the application. The certificate will be valid for HIPs launched until the end of 2034 (and up until the end of projects funded under that period). Successful organisations will be listed publicly as EU Humanitarian Partners and will be subject to regular monitoring by DG ECHO. 1

Detailed scope, objectives and expected outcomes

Certification method and key documents

The certification procedure relies on an independent ex-ante assessment by an independent external auditor. Applicants must submit a Terms of Reference signed with the auditor and a final Independent Assessment Report on the auditor’s letterhead. The Commission supplies templates and a mandatory Independent Assessment Report model, an Application Form (Part A and Part B), and a Declaration of Honour. The assessment comprises two blocks: Block 1 (Eligibility, financial capacity, exclusion and minimum requirements) scored Yes/No and Block 2 (Operational capacity and additional suitability requirements) scored 0–10 per question, with an overall average. The call document, assessment templates and related reference documents (Humanitarian Aid Regulation 1257/96, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, annotated Model Grant Agreement, Portal manuals) must be consulted and used.

Eligibility and applicant requirements

Assessment scoring, pass thresholds and outcomes

Administrative, procedural and submission details

Funding type and financial details

The certificate itself is not a grant award; it is a quality certificate that enables NGOs to apply for action grants under the Humanitarian Aid Programme. The call does not provide direct financial contributions as part of the certification; there is no budgeted grant amount attached to the certificate call. Financial capacity assessment within the Independent Assessment Report evaluates the organisation’s financial stability (audited financial statements, liquidity quick ratio > 0.5, positive equity, operating income > €2,000,000 for the last two years for new applicants unless a valid FCA from prior period applies).

Eligibility, financial and operational capacity checks

Auditor requirements and reporting templates

Evaluation and award procedure

Structured answers to categorisation questions

Key technical requirements and standards to demonstrate

Applicants must demonstrate compliance with a wide range of standards, policies and operational benchmarks. Auditors must reference and apply ISAE 3000 (assurance engagements), IESBA Code of Ethics, ISQM1 (or equivalent), and Commission-provided assessment criteria. The Commission references the Humanitarian Aid Regulation 1257/96, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, the Sphere Handbook, the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), OECD-DAC guidance, COSO framework for internal control, and other donor standards. Specific operational expectations include adherence to humanitarian principles (humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence), PSEAH protections, anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies, supply chain and procurement standards (including quality standards for medical and food procurement and value-for-money procedures), staff safety & security, data protection in line with EU Regulation 2016/679, environmental management or signing the Climate and Environmental Charter for Humanitarian Organisations, and adequate monitoring, oversight and audit trail systems.

Risks, restrictions and sanctions

Entities under EU restrictive measures (sanctions) or subject to conditionality measures under Regulation 2020/2092 are ineligible. Exclusion situations under Articles 138 and 143 of the Financial Regulation (bankruptcy, serious professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, money laundering, terrorism-related crimes, child labour, human trafficking, irregularities, refusal to cooperate with audits/investigations) bar an organisation from certification. Certificates may be suspended or withdrawn in case of material breach, failure to inform DG ECHO of significant changes, lack of cooperation, or grave professional misconduct (including SEAH). During suspension, organisations cannot apply for Humanitarian Aid Programme funding.

Practical checklist for applicants

Applicants should ensure the auditor documents findings, recommendations (Critical, Very important, Important, Desirable), and SMART corrective actions where relevant. If Block 2 scores are between 4/10 and 6/10, weaknesses will be documented and follow-up will occur via DG ECHO ex-post audits if certified. If Block 2 average is < 6/10 or any question < 4/10, the result is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Block 1 must be YES for all questions (except possible N/A for Q19) to be acceptable.

Summary — What this opportunity is about and how to explain it

This call is a certification exercise run by DG ECHO to identify and accredit humanitarian NGOs as qualified EU Humanitarian Partners for the MFF period 2028-2034. The certificate is a mandatory quality accreditation that demonstrates an NGO’s legal status, financial health, operational capacity, ethical and humanitarian compliance, internal control and ability to implement and manage EU-funded humanitarian actions in line with EU law and international humanitarian standards. The certification is obtained through a rigorous, independent ex-ante assessment by an external auditor who must follow ISAE 3000 and Commission Terms of Reference and submit a prescribed Independent Assessment Report. The certificate itself does not provide funding but enables certified NGOs to apply for action grants under the Humanitarian Aid Programme. The process is a continuous open call from November 2026 until 30 June 2033, with applications submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and evaluated against strict pass/fail thresholds. Certificates are monitored, and non-compliance or serious misconduct can result in suspension or withdrawal of the certificate.

Footnotes

1. 1Call and all templates, timelines and procedural rules sourced from the European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal: EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034 HUMA-2028 and associated Call document, Independent Assessment Report template, Application Form templates and Partnership Certificate document.

EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034

Opportunity overview

The EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034 is a certification opportunity under the Humanitarian Aid Programme. It is not an action grant and does not directly provide a project budget. Its purpose is to assess and certify humanitarian non-governmental organisations as DG ECHO partners. Holding the certificate is a prerequisite for applying for action grants under the Humanitarian Aid Programme. 1

The certification is designed to establish a long-lasting quality partnership based on professionalism, diversity, humanitarian capacity, compliance with humanitarian principles, transparency, accountability, ethical standards, sound internal controls and adherence to applicable EU rules.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to established humanitarian NGOs that intend to apply for DG ECHO humanitarian action grants during the 2028 to 2034 EU financial period.

Key facts

Purpose and expected outcome

The expected outcome is the award of an EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate to humanitarian NGOs that satisfy the applicable requirements. Certified organisations may become DG ECHO partners and apply for separate action grants under the Humanitarian Aid Programme.

The certification seeks to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of EU funded humanitarian aid. It is intended to ensure that actions are implemented rapidly and appropriately, that humanitarian needs are addressed in line with recognised principles, and that funded actions achieve their intended results.

The certificate is an organisational quality status rather than project funding. Applicants should therefore distinguish between the cost of preparing the certification application and any later action grant application. The call materials do not specify an EU contribution, maximum grant, co financing rate, eligible project budget or number of certificates to be awarded.

Who can apply

The target applicants are humanitarian non-governmental organisations seeking to become DG ECHO humanitarian partners. The independent assessment template indicates that the applicant must be a non profit organisation registered in an EU Member State or in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

The organisation must have its main headquarters, meaning the effective decision making centre for its humanitarian aid operations, in an EU Member State, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, in a non EU country receiving EU humanitarian aid, or exceptionally in a non EU donor country. Where the headquarters and registration country differ, the headquarters must form part of the same legal entity.

The organisation must be autonomous and independent in its governance and decision making. Membership of a federation, network or confederation does not automatically prevent eligibility, provided the applicant is not controlled or instructed by another entity.

The applicant must not be in an exclusion situation under the applicable EU Financial Regulation. The relevant declarations also extend to members of the organisation's administrative, management and supervisory bodies and to beneficial owners for the exclusion situations specified in the Financial Regulation.

Minimum eligibility and capacity requirements

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate all of the following requirements through documentary evidence and the independent assessment process.

Humanitarian experience threshold

The experience test is more specific than a general statement of past activity. The organisation must normally have started at least one new humanitarian project in each of the previous three years, with a minimum value of €200,000 for each relevant year. For a multi year project, the threshold applies on an annual basis. A three year project would therefore normally need to represent at least €600,000 in total.

The €200,000 threshold may be met through grants, donations, private finance or other sources, provided that the funding relates to the humanitarian project and the project started in the relevant year. Participation as an implementing partner may count where the applicant's share of the action represents at least €200,000.

Financial capacity requirements

New applicants are expected to undergo assessment of audited financial statements, liquidity, equity and operating income. Organisations holding a 2021 to 2027 certificate may be able to rely on a still valid positive financial capacity assessment obtained through the specified 2026 periodic assessment process. The applicant must document that the conditions for relying on the earlier assessment are met.

The quick ratio is calculated using current assets, excluding stock and debtors due after more than one year, divided by short term debt. The required threshold is higher than 0.5 for each of the last two accounting periods.

Equity must be positive in both periods. The assessment materials indicate that equity for this purpose is calculated as capital and reserves reduced by 50 percent of intangible assets. Applicants should use the Commission's financial capacity calculation guidance and self check tools when preparing the evidence.

Operating income includes restricted and unrestricted resources from normal activities, such as grants, donations, contributions, services, sales, depreciation write backs and carry overs of unused project resources. Financial income and exceptional income are excluded. The stated minimum is more than €2 million in each of the last two accounting periods.

Independent ex ante assessment

An independent ex ante assessment report is a compulsory part of the application. The report must be prepared using the Commission's prescribed template and must be supplied by an external independent auditor.

The auditor must be authorised to perform audits and be a registered member of a national accounting or auditing body or institution. The auditor must be functionally independent from the applicant. Internal auditors of the applicant cannot perform the assessment.

The auditor and engagement team must have appropriate experience with ISAE 3000 assurance engagements, institutional, compliance or systems audits, and preferably audits of development aid programmes or internationally funded humanitarian actions. The assessment is governed by ISAE 3000, applicable ethical requirements and quality management requirements such as ISQM 1 or an equivalent standard.

The engagement team is expected to include a category 1 audit partner with at least 12 years of professional audit or accounting experience, a category 2 audit manager with at least 6 years of experience, category 3 senior auditors with at least 3 years of experience and category 4 assistant auditors with relevant academic qualifications and at least 6 months of professional experience, as appropriate to the assignment.

The final report must be prepared in English, issued on the auditor's letterhead, dated, signed and stamped. The auditor must provide reasonable assurance based on documentary review, interviews, tests of controls, fieldwork and other procedures considered necessary.

Assessment structure and pass conditions

The assessment has two blocks. Block 1 covers eligibility, financial capacity, exclusion and minimum requirements. Block 2 covers operational capacity and additional suitability requirements.

Block 1 is assessed through yes or no answers, with not applicable permitted only for the implementing partner selection question in the circumstances described. A negative answer to any fundamental Block 1 question results in an unacceptable assessment regardless of the Block 2 score.

For Block 2, the auditor assesses design and, where relevant, operating effectiveness. Criteria can be answered yes, partially, no or not applicable. Not applicable should remain exceptional and must be justified. An individual question score below 4 out of 10 is disqualifying even if the overall Block 2 average reaches 6 out of 10.

Operational and governance expectations

The assessment is intended to verify that the organisation has functioning systems, not merely policies on paper. Applicants should be able to demonstrate implementation through records, training evidence, management decisions, monitoring outputs, case registers, audit trails, sampled transactions and evidence of corrective action.

The principal areas examined include the following.

Implementing partners and delegated implementation

The applicant remains responsible to DG ECHO for the proper implementation of actions even when activities are delegated to implementing partners. Delegation does not transfer accountability, decision making authority, financial responsibility or oversight responsibility away from the certified partner.

Applicants using implementing partners should maintain documented procedures for partner identification, due diligence, selection, contracting, monitoring, financial control, safeguarding, procurement and corrective action. The procedures should apply to local partners and, where relevant, members of a federation or network.

The organisation should be able to require information and documents from implementing partners, suspend implementation where information is not supplied or deviations are identified, terminate an arrangement when issues are not resolved, and require alternative implementation arrangements where a partner lacks the means to complete the action properly.

Procurement and value for money

The organisation's procurement policy should be written, transparent and proportionate. It should promote competition and value for money, define approval responsibilities, prevent conflicts of interest and document exceptions for urgent or single source procurement.

The assessment materials identify €60,000 as an example threshold above which a minimum number of candidates or tenderers, such as three, may be required where a sufficient supplier market exists. They also identify €5,000 as an example threshold below which purchases may be made against an invoice or ticket. These figures are illustrative benchmarks in the assessment guidance, not a replacement for the applicant's approved procedures or any stricter project specific rules.

Contracts must not be artificially divided to avoid competition thresholds. The value of related lots should be considered together. Exceptions must be justified, approved and documented, and evaluation or award decisions must be protected against conflicts of interest.

Safeguarding, ethics and environmental requirements

Applicants should have a zero tolerance approach to fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. Policies should be communicated to staff, management, board members and implementing partners, supported by mandatory or recurring training and backed by confidential reporting and investigation arrangements.

PSEAH systems should include accessible complaint channels for communities and staff, protection of whistleblowers, safe handling of sensitive information, timely investigation and action, and a victim or survivor centred approach. Consolidated reporting should reach the board or another appropriate authority where the board is compromised.

Environmental capacity is assessed as part of suitability. An organisation should have an environmental management policy or strategy with clear targets covering humanitarian operations and offices, or have signed the Climate and Environmental Charter for Humanitarian Organisations and developed an implementation plan. It should also assess and mitigate environmental impacts in country operations where relevant.

Application documents and preparation

The portal identifies the following principal application materials and supporting references.

The independent assessment report must contain two integrated parts. The first is the terms of reference signed by the organisation and auditor. The second is the assessment report issued on the auditor's letterhead and supported by the completed assessment questionnaire.

The auditor should normally assess a 12 month period ending on the day fieldwork starts. The applicant must provide unrestricted access, insofar as relevant, to accounting records, contracts, bank records, invoices, minutes, policies, staff and locations. The auditor may also request access to banks, consultants, statutory auditors and other relevant parties.

Timetable and submission strategy

The planned opening date is 17 November 2026 and the final deadline is 30 June 2033 at 17:00 Brussels time. The portal data indicate a continuous submission model, meaning applications may be submitted during the open period rather than only during a single annual cut off.

The long submission window should not be interpreted as a reason to delay preparation. The independent assessment, management evidence review and remediation of control weaknesses may take substantial time. Organisations should aim to complete the audit and obtain the signed final report well before the final deadline, allowing time for portal validation, document corrections and possible requests for clarification.

The certificate is intended to cover Humanitarian Implementation Plans launched until the end of 2034 and projects funded under that period. The precise legal effect, duration and any transitional treatment should be confirmed against the final call document and certificate provisions applicable when the application is submitted.

Monitoring, suspension and withdrawal

Certified partners remain subject to regular monitoring by DG ECHO. Certification is therefore an ongoing compliance status and not a one time approval that removes future oversight.

The partner must inform DG ECHO of significant changes affecting matters assessed for certification, including changes to organisational systems, governance, financial capacity, operational capacity or relationships with implementing partners.

DG ECHO may suspend or withdraw the certificate if the organisation no longer satisfies the applicable conditions or is suspected of materially breaching a commitment undertaken under the partnership. Applicants should maintain a formal change notification process and retain evidence that corrective actions and audit recommendations are implemented.

Funding and financial implications

No direct financial contribution is identified for this certificate action. The portal budget overview shows no stated minimum or maximum contribution and no indicative number of grants. The opportunity should therefore be treated as an accreditation and access mechanism for future humanitarian action grants, not as a source of immediate project funding.

Applicants should budget internally for legal entity registration, document preparation, management time, translation where needed, external audit or assurance fees, fieldwork, remediation of deficiencies and any follow up assessment. The supplied documents do not state that the Commission reimburses the cost of the independent assessment.

A successful certificate does not guarantee an action grant. Each future action grant application will remain subject to the relevant Humanitarian Implementation Plan, call conditions, available budget, evaluation process, operational priorities and grant agreement requirements.

Applicant readiness checklist

Overall assessment

This is a strategically important gateway opportunity for humanitarian NGOs seeking access to DG ECHO action grant funding in the 2028 to 2034 period. The main challenge is not the preparation of a project concept but demonstrating organisation wide eligibility, financial strength, operational maturity, safeguarding, accountability and internal control through an independent assurance engagement.

The most material applicant risks are failure to meet the repeated €200,000 humanitarian experience requirement, insufficient financial capacity, weak autonomy or partner oversight, inadequate safeguarding and anti fraud systems, unreliable reporting, procurement weaknesses, and an individual Block 2 score below 4 out of 10. Early auditor engagement and a documented remediation plan are therefore central to a credible application.

The final call document, its annexes and any portal notices should be treated as controlling for legal interpretation, eligibility details, document formats, assessment procedures and submission requirements. 1

Footnotes

1. 1Official source: EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2028-2034. The Funding and Tenders Portal call page and linked call documents are the controlling sources. Applicants should verify the final published documents and any portal updates before submission.