Frontline humanitarian workers often face dangerous negotiations — trying to secure access to populations in need, during conflict. These situations are complex and fast-changing. Many had no formal negotiation training — they relied on instinct and experience.
In 2014, 24 ICRC staff came together in Kenya. They didn’t have a negotiation manual — just stories, questions, and lessons from the field. They shared what had worked, what hadn’t, and where they felt uncertain. Slowly, common patterns began to emerge.
The group developed a practical tool called the “Naivasha Grid” — a shared framework to support real-time negotiation. They didn’t just swap tips. They built something new together — rooted in their experiences.
This meeting sparked interest from others. Over time, a wider community of practice formed – across agencies, roles, and countries. They kept meeting, online and in person, sharing strategies and supporting each other.
In 2017, the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) was created. It now connects thousands of practitioners around the world — not through formal training, but through ongoing, peer-based learning in practice.
