History: The Sphere Project is a significant process - it has entailed an extensive and broad-based consultation in the humanitarian community. The people who participated in writing the first edition of the Sphere handbook came from national and international NGOs, UN agencies, and academic institutions. Thousands of individuals from over 300 organisations representing 60 countries have participated in various aspects of the Sphere Project, from developing the handbook through to piloting and training. The Sphere process has endeavoured to be inclusive, transparent, and globally representative.

We are currently in Phase III (2000-2004) of the project. Many of the activities initiated during Phase II continue, and several new areas of work are in progress, including an external evaluation of the process and impact of Sphere. A key activity during this phase is the revision of the Sphere handbook, which represents an extremely broad-based consultative process and is based on extensive feedback and input from field-based practitioners, national and international NGOs, UN agencies, government ministries, academic institutions etc. In response to recommendations from agencies piloting Sphere, we are now focusing on the work of pilot agencies in 3 regions rather than globally. Through this programme we are supporting both institutionalization and Sphere training in selected countries, and aim to expand our understanding of the application of the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards by country pilot agencies

In Phase II (1998-2000) activities were focused on making the commitment to quality and accountability in humanitarian practice a reality through dissemination, debate and implementation. Phase II of the Sphere Project employed the same collaborative and inclusive approach of Phase I. Phase II included two formal reviews of the preliminary handbook and new text regarding gender and protection issues was incorporated into the final first edition that was subsequently published in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. A website was launched, a training program begun and 20 agencies committed to piloting the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. During

Phase I (1997-1998) a preliminary edition of a Sphere handbook was developed, including the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for the care sectors of water supply and sanitation, nutrition, food aid, shelter and site management, and health services. Many humanitarian actors have recognized Phase I of the Sphere Project for the unique interagency co-operative process that developed a framework for, and commitment to, quality and accountability in humanitarian practice.