Humana People to People spans the globe through 30 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.
Today, all 30 member associations are independent national charitable organisations that work in 49 countries accross 5 continents including, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Central Ameria 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.
In 2025, our members spent approximately US$111 million on education and social development projects worldwide. Income raised through development partnerships constituted the majority of our total income at 71.6%, while 23.1% was generated through collecting and selling second-hand clothes. Other income represents the remaining 5.3%.
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 difference between the Humana People to People movement and the Federation Humana People to People?
he Humana People to People movement refers to the activities in the 49 countries where organisations connected to the movement operate, and encompasses millions of people engaged in them.
The Federation Humana People to People is a federation of 30 independent national associations engaged in humanitarian and sustainable development activities. In addition, there are associates who are not members but support the Humana People to People movement.
Humana People to People grew out of a progressive education movement in the 1970s and is rooted in a commitment to addressing some of the world's major humanitarian, social and environmental challenges.
What does the Federation Humana People to People do?
In 2025, the members and associates of the Federation Humana People to People were active in 49 countries across five continents. They implemented 1,856 development project units, focusing on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, Community Development, Health, Education, and Humanitarian Action, reaching more than 17 million people in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.
In Europe and North America, members and associates operate collection, recycling, and sale of second-hand clothes, with the dual aim of raising funds for development projects and reducing carbon emissions, thereby helping to address 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 understanding of the needs and potential of the communities in which they operate. The Federation provides members with services, including programme and project development, assistance with project management and operations, fundraising through partnerships and the sale of second-hand clothes, economic administration, legal advice, staff capacity building, and information and influence on the development agenda at international conferences.
All Federation Humana People to People members are independent organisations with their own governance structures and procedures.
Where does the Humana People to People movement operate?
The Humana People to People movement operates in 49 countries across five continents, including Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
See Where We Work for more information about member organisations and associates.
How is the work of the Humana People to People movement funded?
The Federation Humana People to People and its members and associates are proud to work with many partners and donors. Income from development partnerships accounted for 71.6% of total income for development projects in 2025.
These partnerships are key to our work. The collection and sale of second-hand clothes provide another source of income for Humana People to People. In 2025, the collection and sale of second-hand clothes accounted for 23.1% of income. Other income sources accounted for the remaining 5.3% in 2025.
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 that adheres to Swiss standards for policies and procedures, risk assessment, and internal controls. Berney Associés SA audits our accounts in accordance with Swiss law and the International Standards on Auditing.
The members of the Federation Humana People to People are likewise audited in accordance with international financial and reporting standards, including funds received from international partners, which are accounted for in line with the funding agreements.
We are committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability, transparency and good governance.
For several years, the Federation Humana People to People has been certified through external audits, most recently by ACPO SA of Switzerland, for governance policies and procedures and their implementation, using the NGO Governance Benchmark by NGO Governance Standards SA of Geneva, Switzerland. This standard was developed by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) to provide non-governmental organisations with a management tool to highlight their key strengths and weaknesses in their functioning. It targets three key objectives: 1) show evidence of accountability, 2) strengthen trust among their donors, and 3) highlight areas for improvement to foster operational efficiency.
How can I work with 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 Humana People to People’s development work?
If interested in donating to a development project in one of the Humana People to People members, please contact the relevant national member directly.
See Where We Work for more information about member organisations.
How can I contact the Federation Humana People to People for media enquiries?
For all media enquiries, please contact our communications team at
See Where We Work for more information on member organisations.
How do I lodge a complaint with the Federation Humana People to People?
If you wish to lodge a complaint with the Federation Humana People to People about the Federation itself or any of its members, you can write to
Can’t find the answer to your question?
If you have more questions, please get in touch. See the contacts page and the social media pages
International Headquarters
Murgwi Estate, Shamva
PO Box 6345
Harare, Zimbabwe.
+263 772 420 420
European Office
Rue Kitty-PONSE 4,
CH-1205 Geneva,
Switzerland
+41 22 320 05 55
