Humana People to People spans the globe through 29 independent member associations, each one with a firm base in their own country.
Our agenda is simple and clear: protecting the planet, building communities and supporting people by connecting them with others in transformative programmes, unleashing their potential for positive change and action. We share this agenda with our partners at all levels.
Our development work is anchored in five key areas of focus, which are community development, sustainable agriculture and environment, health, education and the collection and sale of second-hand clothes.
We work side by side with people in their communities and our innumerable partners, we align with the UN 2030 Agenda and supporting countries as they strive to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, creating lasting positive change in the process.
We grew out of a progressive education movement in the 1970s, rooted in the struggle against apartheid and colonialism. We were founded by a group of people who cared deeply about the lack of equality evident around the world and who decided they were going to change it.
We made development cooperation agreements with local national governments to expand our development work starting in southern Africa, expanding into Asia, Central and Southern America. Our long-standing tradition for creating change together with and as part of the people characterise how we have built our activities on local participation throughout our journey since the beginning.
Forty years after we began, the needs of our planet and its inhabitants are more urgent and complex than ever. Today, we remain committed to tackling some of the world’s major humanitarian, social and environmental challenges.
Over the years, we have transformed our development approaches to effectively and efficiently respond to effects of poverty and inequality in the southern hemisphere. We have created a set of unique programmes that has and still continue responding to the urgency of the challenges.
The Federation for Associations connected to the International Humana People to People Movement – in short, the Federation Humana People to People – was formally established in 1996. It supports member associations delivering critical on-the-ground programmes across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
The Federation and its members are proud to work with a diverse range of partners who support our social and human development mandate.
Partnerships are a vital part of what we do and offer symbiotic relationships that help our projects to prosper. Whilst a partner often provides the necessary funding for a project, we provide the ideas, energy, experience and resource to make things happen, with tried and trusted project concepts and processes ready to go.
We would like to thank all our partners for their continued support and commitment to work with the people on the ground, pursuing much needed development for positive, lasting change.
Accountability and Transparency
We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of accountability, transparency and good governance as a Federation.
Sources and Expenditure of funds
In 2023, our members spent approximately US$129 million on education and development projects worldwide. Income raised through development partnerships constituted the majority of our total income at 71.5%, while 24.6% was generated through the collection and sale of second-hand clothes and other income represents the remaining 3.9%.
We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of accountability, transparency and good governance.
The Federation Humana People to People has been certified through an external audit by ACPO SA of Switzerland, for governance policies and procedures and the implementation thereof, using the NGO Governance Benchmark by NGO Governance Standards SA of Geneva, Switzerland. The standard was developed by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) to provide non-governmental organisations with a management tool dedicated to highlight their key strengths and weaknesses in their functioning. It targets three key objectives: 1) show evidences of accountability, 2) strengthen trust with respect to their donors, and 3) highlight areas of improvement to foster operational efficiency.
Our organisation had its first certification in 2018, renewed in 2021 by SGS, and ranked among the top five organisations certified under that system.
The Federation Humana People to People is a Swiss-registered non-profit association with Headquarters in Zimbabwe.
A Committee, elected by members at the Annual General Assembly, which is the highest authority of the association, governs it. All member organisations have own policies, guidelines and internal controls in line with international standards, to ensure funds received are spent only for the purpose intended.
What is the Federation Humana People to People?
Humana People to People is a Federation of 29 independent associations involved in humanitarian and sustainable development activities.
Humana People to People grew out of a progressive education movement in the 1970s and is rooted in a commitment to tackle some of the world's major humanitarian, social and environmental challenges.
What does the Federation Humana People to People do?
Members of the Federation Humana People to People are active in 46 countries across five continents. Humana People to People is implementing 1,584 development projects, focussing on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, Community Development, Health and Education, reaching over 17.9 million people in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
In Europe and North America, the collection, recycling and sale of second-hand clothes supports development projects, whilst also helping to reduce carbon emissions, and thus addressing global warming.
How does the Federation of Humana People to People work with its members?
Members of the Federation Humana People to People are independent national associations whose work is grounded in their knowledge of needs and potential of the communities where they are situated. The Federation Humana People to People provides services to members within, but not limited to, development of programmes and projects, assistance to project management and operation, fund raising through partnerships and through sales of second-hand clothes, economic administration, legal advice, capacity building of staff, and through information and influencing the development agenda at international conferences.
All members of the Federation Humana People to People are independent organisations, with their own governance structures and procedures.
Where does the Federation Humana People to People work?
Humana works in 46 countries across five continents, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
See Where We Work for more information on member organisations.
How is the Federation Humana People to People funded?
The Federation Humana People to People and its members are proud to work with a multitude of partners and donors. Income raised through these development partnerships constituted the majority of the total income at 71.5% in 2023. These partnerships are key to our work. The collection and sale of second-hand clothes generates another source of income for the Federation Humana People to People and its members. In 2023 collection and sale of second-hand clothes generated 24.6% of income. Other income sources constituting the remaining 3.9% in the year 2023.
How does the Federation Humana People to People demonstrate financial transparency?
The Federation for Associations connected to the International Humana People to People movement (the Federation) is a Swiss- registered association and follows Swiss standards for policies and procedures, risk assessment and internal controls. Our accounts are audited by Berney and Associates according to Swiss law and under the International Standards on Auditing.
The members of the Federation Humana People to People are likewise audited according to international financial and reporting standards, including funds received by international partners, which are also accounted for in line with funding agreements.
We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of accountability, transparency and good governance. In 2018, we were officially certified for good governance policies and procedures, including their implementation, by the internationally renowned certification company, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) NGO Benchmarking Standards. In 2021, the certification was renewed, with a score of 96.5%, which places the Federation Humana People to People among top 5% of organisations audited by SGS. In 2024 the certification was renewed with a score of 93.4%, audited by NGO Benchmarking Standards SA (NGB).
How can I work with the Federation Humana People to People?
If you would like to find out more about how you can support a development project or get involved, please contact us at
How can I donate to the Federation Humana People to People?
If interested in donating to a development project at the Federation Humana People to People, please contact the national members directly.
See Where We Work for more information on member organisations.
How do I contact the Federation Humana People to People for media inquiries?
For all media inquiries please get in touch with our communications team, headquartered in Zimbabwe. If you would like to get in touch with a member directly, you can find their contact details on their website.
See Where We Work for more information on member organisations.
Can’t find the answer to your question?
If you have more questions, please get in touch. See contacts page and social media pages.
