Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice

Programme Overview

Humanitarian action is a powerful and direct way of making an impact on millions of lives globally. This is especially true if one considers an increase in the frequency, intensity, and complexity of natural disasters and conflicts. Rise in populism, isolation, and division within countries and worldwide stand at odds with true humanitarianism. Many humanitarian organizations struggle to plan and react accordingly to the ever-changing landscape although they are constantly being called to adapt and respond to elevated demands. This workshop has been designed to teach you everything you might need to know about the contemporary humanitarian system. Throughout the course of your studies, you will learn about relief operations, system, and legal framework for delivering aid. You will be taught about the characteristics of natural disasters, conflicts, and other complex emergencies and how to effectively respond to the needs of the vulnerable population. This workshop is a unique opportunity for any humanitarian worker to gain a structured understanding of the humanitarian practice and acquire hands-on experience and skills that build up a true humanitarian.

Host Country Profile Poland’s humanitarian profile has been growing over the past year, especially after the war in Ukraine causing a refugee crisis with hundreds of thousands fleeing the country. Polish authorities and NGOs have been heavily involved in the humanitarian response registering and hosting refugees in designated hubs. One of the biggest hubs in Europe, Ptak Warsaw Expo Center with a full capacity of 20’000, only has hosted tens of thousands and assisted with primary supplies and further relocation to other destinations. Emergency and Humanitarian Workers in Poland have accumulated substantial expertise as first responders as well as in analyzing and dealing with the characteristics of complex emergencies.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Warsaw, Poland, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• History of Humanitarianism
• Understanding Humanitarian Context; Principled Approach
• Humanitarian as a profession
• Working in and across humanitarian teams
• Diversity, Vulnerability, and Inclusion
• Humanitarian Capacity
• International Humanitarian Law
• Humanitarianism in Conflict Settings
• Climate and environmental risk assessment
• Adaptation and mitigation planning
• Sector strategies for energy, water and land
• Project design for climate and environmental goals

It is designed for technical specialists in humanitarian and development sectors, relief Workers from different humanitarian programmes, the Staff of UN Agencies and others who want practical, current skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

The Growing Importance of Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice

Climate change, environmental pressure and resource management now shape national plans, budgets and investment decisions. Financiers increasingly expect climate and environmental considerations to be built into projects from the start.

Institutions that can plan for climate risks, manage natural resources well and prepare sound proposals are better placed to protect services and to access the funding available for this work.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets
• Design projects that meet climate and environmental goals
• Prepare proposals that financiers can approve
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work with communities and partners across sectors

Strong climate, environment and natural resources systems help organisations:

• Protect services and infrastructure from climate risks
• Access climate and environmental finance
• Meet national and international commitments
• Use natural resources sustainably

This Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Technical specialists in humanitarian and development sectors
• Relief Workers from different humanitarian programmes
• The Staff of UN Agencies
• Governmental Personnel involved in emergency aid
• Members of various NGOs/INGOs that are involved in humanitarian assistance
• Climate change and environment officers
• Energy, water and agriculture sector staff
• Planning and policy officers
• Project and programme managers
• Disaster risk management staff
• Local government officials
• Utility managers and engineers

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training, participants will be able to:

• Comprehend local and international relief system along with the roles and responsibilities of aid workers
• Analyze the characteristics of conflicts, natural disasters, and other complex emergencies
• Understand cultural, social, political, legal, and organizational environment of humanitarian assistance
• Develop essential skills needed for relief workers
• Comprehend key challenges facing humanitarian assistance
• Explain the main climate and environmental challenges for their sector
• Assess climate and environmental risks to services and assets
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures
• Design projects with clear climate and environmental results
• Understand the main sources of climate and environmental finance

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training Methodology

Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice is a highly interactive programme involving numerous case studies, group assignments, video demonstrations, and the study visit. The presenter will encourage maximum participation of all delegates and promote healthy discussions and knowledge share. Each day will be finalized with participant feedback. The ideas and suggestions received will be considered for the coming sessions to maximize the impact of the programme.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Technical visits to institutions and sites
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group. Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Technical Visits and Site Programme

The programme includes visits to institutions, projects or sites in and around Warsaw where participants see current practice at first hand and meet the professionals responsible. Visits are confirmed with the host organisations before the programme and may change for operational reasons.

• Briefings by host institutions on their approach and results
• Guided site visits with time for questions
• Structured observation notes for each visit
• Group debrief linking what was seen to participants' own institutions

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training, participants will be able to:

• Assess climate and environmental risks
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures
• Design projects with clear results
• Prepare stronger funding proposals
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work effectively with communities and partners

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Climate and environmental planning
• Project design
• Access to finance
• Results measurement
• Stakeholder involvement

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Risk assessments
• Concept notes
• Results frameworks
• Monitoring systems
• Partnership arrangements

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply climate, environment and natural resources within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in climate, environment and natural resources increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on climate, environment and natural resources. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to climate, environment and natural resources that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Warsaw, Poland brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how climate, environment and natural resources is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Poland

Programmes, Workshops, Exposures, Training Courses in Warsaw, Poland by Risalat Consultants International

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

The programme takes place at Golden Tulip Warsaw Centre.

Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Readiness Assessment
• Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice Training Manual
• Climate Risk Screening Checklist
• Options Appraisal Template
• Concept Note Template
• Results Measurement Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Funding Readiness Checklist
• Monitoring and Reporting Template
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Context and risks), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions design projects that meet climate and environmental goals?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Planning solutions), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions prepare proposals that financiers can approve?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Project design), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions measure and report results credibly?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Finance and proposals), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions work with communities and partners across sectors?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Measurement, reporting and action planning), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Workshop on the Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice programme take place?

It runs from 21 Dec 2026 to 26 Dec 2026, in Warsaw, Poland (Golden Tulip Warsaw Centre). The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for technical specialists in humanitarian and development sectors, relief Workers from different humanitarian programmes, the Staff of UN Agencies, governmental Personnel involved in emergency aid, and others who want practical skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in climate, environment and natural resources?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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