Call for applications: NetHope Connected places for the HLA Community

A smiling woman participates in a video conference on her computer, with logos for Humanitarian Leadership Academy and NetHope in the corner.

The HLA is excited to partner with NetHope to launch a call for applications for NetHope Connected. Apply by 25 November 2026.

Looking to strengthen your organisation’s digital capacity? The Humanitarian Leadership Academy is delighted to partner with NetHope to offer up to 20 fully funded places on NetHope Connected, providing selected organisations access to a year of e-learning, tools, peer connection, grant opportunities, and more.

What is NetHope Connected?

A group of eight people stand in a line in front of a conference screen that reads Global Summit 2024, with text to the left reading NetHope Connected: Helping nonprofits everywhere build digital confidence, together.

NetHope Connected is a global community and digital programme designed by, for, and with nonprofits, to help organisations strengthen digital capacity at your own pace.

Community participation is for sub-national, national, and regional nonprofit organisations with 5–200 staff, basic digital capacity, and access to English-language resources, who want to strengthen their digital capabilities together.

Co-created with nonprofits: Shaped through the experience of the NGOs, ensuring it reflects real challenges and opportunities.
Built for your realities: From low-bandwidth guides to mobile-ready resources, everything is designed to fit how you actually work.
Part of a trusted global ecosystem. NetHope Connected extends a proven NetHope approach that has strengthened 60+ leading international NGOs to organisations like yours, creating shared language, trusted guidance, and collective impact.

Why the HLA and NetHope have launched this call

Through this initiative, our aim is to build on HLA and NetHope collaboration and shared commitment to supporting digital capacity strengthening through learning and exchange across the ecosystem.

For this specific HLA opportunity, priority will be given to local and national organisations from the Global South/Majority World. This is in line with our commitment to supporting locally led humanitarian action.

The HLA will manage this call for applications and selection process, and NetHope hosts the community which you will be part of. Shortlisted applicants will be notified, and your details will be passed to NetHope, who will confirm and onboard you directly.

Who this opportunity is for

This call for applications is open to national and subnational nonprofit organisations that meet the NetHope Connected eligibility criteria, including:

Have a sub-national, national, or regional impact
Have non-governmental organisation, or nonprofit status
Have annual income of less than 2 million USD per year
Typically employ between 5-200 staff members
Have basic digital capacity (e.g., at least one computer per team, internet connection, staff email and a website)
Can access and use English language resources (the platform is currently only in English)
Are motivated to strengthen digital capabilities and share peer learning.

Please visit the NetHope Connected webpage for further information.

In addition, for this specific HLA call for funded 12-month participation, priority will be given to:

Local and national actors (LNAs) – humanitarian and development organisations based in the Global South/Majority World.
We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups, including women-led organisations, and those led by people with disabilities and refugees.

Would you like to find out more? Join us for an applicant information session on 18 November 2026

18 November 2026
13.00-14.00 UTC
Zoom webinars

Are you interested in this opportunity and would like to find out more? Sign up to join our applicant information session on 18 November to:

Learn more about NetHope Connected through a short presentation from the NetHope team
Be inspired by Ahmed, a current NetHope Connector, who will share their experience so far, and the impact on their organisation’s digital journey
Hear application guidance from the HLA on this specific call for applications
Audience Q&A

Please note that this applicant information session is an informal forum open to anyone interested in finding out more about this opportunity. It is not part of the application process. Post-event, the recording will be uploaded to this webpage so that the information is available to everyone.

Ready to apply?

We’re excited you’re ready to apply. Before you take the next steps, please ensure you read the NetHope Connected page, the eligibility criteria, and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at the bottom of this webpage.

If you’re ready to go ahead, the next step is to complete an online application form before the closing date. Please submit one application per organisation only.

Eligibility screening: The form starts with a simple eligibility check. If you meet the criteria, you will be able to complete the rest of the application.

Preparing your responses: The application comprises 5 short sections. Your browser may not allow you to return to the form so please prepare to complete your application in one go. You will be asked to provide your personal details and motivations for applying. We’re providing the form sections and questions below to help with this process. You may wish to prepare your responses on a document first before completing the form.

Eligibility check: Confirmation that you meet the application criteria (checkboxes)
Your details: Your organisation’s info and contact details; mission summary. Up to 750 characters (this is approximately 120-150 words).
Motivation statement: 3 questions, open text, up to 1,500 characters each (this is approximately 230–300 words)
i. What is the key digital challenge your organisation currently faces and how is it impacting on your work?
ii. How does your organisation engage with the communities you serve?
iii. What is one specific difference strengthened digital capacity would make to your organisation?
Declarations (checkboxes)
Permissions (checkboxes)

Full online application form questions: Tap on the expandable content block below to see the full preview of questions.

Full application form questions

1. Eligibility check (Y/N questions: you must confirm you meet the criteria before being able to proceed with the form)

Does your organisation have a sub-national, national, or regional impact?

Is your organisation a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) or nonprofit?

Does your organisation have an annual income of less than 2 million USD per year?

Does your organisation typically employ between 5-200 staff members?

Does your organisation have basic digital capacity (e.g. at least one computer per team, internet connection, staff email and a website)

Is your organisation able to access and use English language resources?

Is your organisation motivated to strengthen digital capabilities and share peer learning?

2. Your details

Your full name

Your role/job title

Your organisational email address (please provide your personal email if you don’t have an organisational email address)

Organisation name

Country your organisation is registered/headquartered in (select)

Organisational website

Briefly describe your organisation’s mission (max 750 characters)

Which best describes your organisation type? (select)

Does your organisation identify as being led by underrepresented group/s? e.g. gender, disability, refugee status (optional) (Y/N)

Is your organisation based in, and primarily serving communities in, the Global South/Majority World? (optional) (Y/N)

Which region(s) does your organisation operate in? Select any that apply

3. Motivation statement

What is the key digital challenge your organisation currently faces and how is it impacting on your work? (up to 1,500 characters)

How does your organisation engage with the communities you serve? (up to 1,500 characters)

What is one specific difference strengthened digital capacity would make to your organisation? (up to 1,500 characters)

4. Declarations (check boxes)

5. Permissions

If your organisation is selected, are you happy for us to feature your organisation in promotional or communications activity relating to this call? (Y/N)

How did you hear about this opportunity? (select)

A note on AI use

Through our application form, we’d like to understand your organisation’s motivation and fit for this opportunity. While we recognise applicants may wish to use AI tools to support the writing process, we’re keen to learn more about you and your motivations, and we encourage you to complete this in your own words.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 25 November 2026, 23:59 UTC.

Apply by 25 November 2026

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is this opportunity through the HLA or NetHope?
The HLA is partnering with NetHope to manage the call for applications and review of applications. If selected, your organisation’s application details will be shared with NetHope, who manage the NetHope Connected programme and will confirm your membership directly with you.

What do you mean by HLA Community?
We use ‘HLA Community’ to describe the networks this call is shared through – including the Humanitarian Leadership Academy’s partners and learners. This opportunity is open to any organisation that meets the eligibility criteria; you don’t need to hold an official affiliation with the HLA to be eligible to apply.

Why are you prioritising local and national actors for this opportunity?
We’re prioritising local and national actors and underrepresented groups in line with our commitment to supporting locally led humanitarian action, and in alignment with NetHope’s commitment to bridge digital divides.

What do you mean by Global South/Majority World?
We use this term to describe countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), as well as any other country currently classified as low- or lower-middle income. This question is self-identified – we don’t require documentation, and your answer is used only to apply the priority criteria for this call.

How many places are available?
NetHope is offering 12-month NetHope Connected membership for up to 20 organisations. No alternative arrangements are available.

How will you select the applicants?
A panel will review all applications received and shortlist based on the criteria and priority groups listed under the ‘Who this opportunity is for’.

Will I receive a confirmation email or copy of my application?
No, once you submit, you’ll see an on-screen ‘Application submitted’ confirmation. You may wish to take screenshot(s) as evidence that your application was successfully submitted.

How will I find out if my application has been successful?
We plan to notify selected applicants by email by mid-December 2026. This timescale may be subject to change.

How will you use my data?
We use your application to assess your eligibility for this call. If you’re selected, we’ll share your details with NetHope so they can set up your membership. We’ll also ask for your consent to feature your organisation in related promotion.

Will it count against me if I use AI tools to support my application completion?
We understand that many individuals use AI tools to support written communication for different reasons and we don’t penalise applicants for using AI. However, we advise against the use of AI-generated responses as it may present challenges in assessing your individual organisation’s motivation and fit. We are not assessing elements such as spelling, punctuation and grammar.

I’m interested in NetHope Connected but I don’t meet the eligibility criteria. How do I find out about other opportunities?
Check out the NetHope website for other opportunities. For HLA initiatives, follow us on social media for any future opportunities.

How do you handle information about disability, refugee status or gender that I share in my application?
This question is a simple yes/no/unsure – you’re not asked to specify which group(s) apply. We use your answer only to apply the priority criteria for this call when shortlisting. If you choose to share further detail about this in your motivation statement, that’s handled in the same way as the rest of your application data (see “How will you use my data?” above).

Do you have a leaflet I can share with my networks?
Yes, you can download this leaflet which can be shared with your network.

I can’t find the answer to my question – how can I contact the team?
If your question relates to this call for applications, please contact the HLA at info@humanitarian.academy

If your question relates to the NetHope Connected programme, please contact the NetHope team at connected@nethope.org

Contact

About the HLA

The Humanitarian Leadership Academy accelerates the movement for locally led humanitarian action by convening local voices, nurturing leaders, and driving collective action. The HLA is a team within Save the Children UK, working directly with the wider humanitarian community.

For enquiries about this call, please contact the Humanitarian Leadership Academy on:
info@humanitarian.academy

About NetHope

NetHope, a consortium of over 60 leading global nonprofits, unites with technology companies and funding partners to design, fund, implement, adapt, and scale innovative approaches to solve development, humanitarian, and conservation challenges. Together, the NetHope community strives to transform the world, building a platform of hope for those who receive aid and those who deliver it.

For general enquiries about NetHope Connected, please contact NetHope on:
connected@nethope.org

Themes:

Strengthening Local Leadership capacity strengthening Digital Learning

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