Start fund learning framework: Crisis anticipation window

The Start Fund anticipation window seeks to mitigate harm and loss for communities at risk of crisis. It does so by enabling and incentivising Start Network members to monitor risk and act on the basis of forecasts. Through the Start Fund anticipation window, non-governmental organisations can respond to shifts in risk, such as a forecast of extreme rainfall or likely political crisis. A key element of this approach requires collective sense-making, or collaborative risk analysis, around the situation forecasted and its potential humanitarian impact.

This framework addresses three primary needs for learning and evidence generation. These are the use of learning to help measure performance, develop knowledge and drive adaptation where appropriate. Meeting these needs will help to ensure high levels of accountability to key stakeholders; members, donors, and the communities Start Network members work with. This framework can be used by members and donors seeking to understand how we learn from and evidence anticipation. It can also be used by other forecast-based early action practitioners seeking to develop approaches to measuring early action.