Sphere launches new self-paced online course: How to use the Sphere Handbook

Sphere’s new self-paced online course is an excellent multimedia introductory guide to using the Sphere Handbook.

Follow Sophia, Joseph, Waleed, Daniela, Laila, Esther and Ricardo as they find solutions to their work challenges – from organising a collective centre to dealing with acute malnutrition – in the Sphere Handbook.

Access the course for free in English, Spanish, French and Ukrainian on Sphere’s learning platform: https://learning.spherestandards.org/

Learning objectives

After completing this 90-minute online course, you will be able to:

• describe the Sphere approach to humanitarian assistance;
• summarise the contents of the Sphere Handbook;
• apply minimum standards, actions, indicators and guidance notes to your work;
• use the Handbook more effectively to assist people affected by crises; and
• list sources of additional information to help you use the Handbook.

Course development

This course was developed as part of Sphere’s Programme for Ukraine and Eastern Europe (2022 to 2023) and was originally in Ukrainian and English. During the first few months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, millions of Ukrainians – mostly women and children – fled the conflict and sought refuge in other countries. In neighbouring Poland, which welcomed more Ukrainian refugees than any other country, many Polish and Ukrainian people were involved in humanitarian work for the first time. Some of these new humanitarians attended in-person Sphere workshops as part of the programme, and Sphere was inspired by their enthusiasm for the Sphere Handbook to create this course – with their learning needs in mind.

The Spanish version, released in November 2023, is localised for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The French version, released in January 2025, is localised for Francophone Africa and Central America (Haiti).

Resources for trainers

Sphere’s Short Workshop Pack 2023 includes 3-hour and 2×2-hour guides for facilitating instructor-led online workshops to accompany the How to Use the Sphere Handbook self-paced online course.

The 2×2-hour guide is also available in Ukrainian.

Story updated January 2025 for release of French version.