Sphere in Urban Setting Training

The Sphere in Urban Settings Training Curriculum was developed through a collaborative effort between Sphere, the German Red Cross, and a group of sector experts to strengthen the application of humanitarian standards in increasingly complex urban contexts. Recognising that urban crises require approaches that go beyond traditional humanitarian models, the curriculum provides practical guidance on adapting Sphere standards to dense, infrastructure-dependent, and socially diverse environments.

The curriculum emphasises context-driven analysis, integrated service delivery, and accountability to affected populations, supporting practitioners to navigate challenges related to governance systems, service provision, and urban inequalities. It is designed as a practical training resource, equipping humanitarian actors with the tools to apply quality and accountability standards effectively across sectors in urban response settings.

NSDation contributed to this initiative through technical input into the curriculum development, drawing on its experience in contextualising humanitarian standards in conflict-affected and urban environments. This included supporting the practical framing of the guidance, contributing to the launch event, and delivering training sessions to facilitate uptake and application of the curriculum among humanitarian practitioners.