The Inter-Agency Research and Analysis Network (IARAN) concept originated in the French think tank, Institut des Relations Internationales et Stratégiques (IRIS).

During our beginnings at IRIS, we collaborate and partnered with the French think tank Futuribles International. This partnership was key to the growth of our methodological base, the building of our toolkit, and the development of a unique, robust, and rigorous approach to foresight that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches.

In 2013, the IARAN entered a two-year test phase in the humanitarian NGO Save the Children International, as an embedded unit named the Humanitarian Affairs Unit (HAU). The HAU covered two operational regions: the Middle East and East Africa.

At the end of the test phase, the HAU evolved and became the Context Analysis and Foresight Unit (CAFU), a network coordinated at a global level by Save the Children Sweden. This transition represented a significant milestone in the development of IARAN's methodology and approach to foresight, as it allowed the organization to scale up its operations and work with a broader range of stakeholders.

In 2014, we began strategically partnering with futures-oriented data modelling institutions, starting with the Statistics Department of the University of Naples "Federico II."

These partnerships were instrumental in expanding our research capabilities and allowed us to experiment and build a robust knowledge base. In later years, we expanded our partnership list to include the Pardee Center for International Futures at the University of Denver.

These collaborations enabled us to refine and enhance our approach to foresight and provided us with access to cutting-edge research tools and methods. By partnering with leading academic institutions, we were able to further advance the development of our foresight methodology and extend the impact of our research on humanitarian stakeholders around the world.

In 2015, the IARAN moved to a pilot phase at Action Against Hunger / Action Contre la Faim, setting up a Regional Analyst Network (RAN) within its network of country members and country missions.

The IARAN team grew to 15+ staff based all over the world, covering four regions and producing 50 foresight reports per year. This pilot phase represented a significant expansion of our operations and allowed us to refine our methodology further, build new partnerships and increase our engagement with humanitarian stakeholders globally. The RAN network provided us with a more extensive and diverse range of perspectives and insights, which we used to enhance the quality and relevance of our research.

Overall, the pilot phase at Action Against Hunger was a crucial step in the development of the IARAN research project and helped position us as a leading provider of foresight analysis and support to the humanitarian sector.

In 2016, the IARAN recognized the need for greater autonomy and editorial independence to better serve the humanitarian sector. To achieve this, we evolved and established a legal consortium between IRIS and two Action Contre la Faim country members, Action Contre la Faim (France) and Action Against Hunger (UK).

This consortium enabled us to conduct research and analysis freely, without constraints from external stakeholders, and strengthened our governance structures to ensure transparency and accountability in our operations.

This significant development marked a new phase in our evolution, as we continued to expand our operations and partnerships to provide cutting-edge foresight analysis and support to the humanitarian community.

In 2017, the IARAN published the "Future of Aid" report, which became the cornerstone of our vision and purpose. This report provided an analysis of the trends and challenges facing the humanitarian sector, outlining a roadmap for change and transformation towards 2030.

Through this initiative, we demonstrated our commitment to driving positive change in the sector and remained focused on our mission of anticipating the future and driving change.

The "Future of Aid" report marked a crucial step in our ongoing journey, as we continued to expand our operations and partnerships to provide cutting-edge foresight analysis and support to the humanitarian community.

In 2018, the IARAN faced significant challenges in maintaining its balance between economic sustainability and editorial independence. The situation was further complicated by the decision of one of its major financial supporters, Action Contre la Faim (France), to express a preference for a specific editorial line as a condition for their financial support. While this pressure did not directly amount to censorship, it put the IARAN in a difficult position, as it sought to maintain its autonomy and ensure that its research and analysis remained independent and objective.

To navigate this challenging landscape, we made the strategic decision to evolve into a collaborative hub of humanitarian professionals, self-supported and committed to independence and objectivity in our research and analysis. By expanding our network of partnerships and building on our experience, we were able to maintain our focus on cutting-edge foresight analysis while also preserving our autonomy and pursuing our mission to drive positive change and transformation in the sector.

Today, we are proud to be the only foresight initiative that has operated for more than ten years across multiple INGOs, and we remain committed to our mission of driving positive change and transformation in the humanitarian sector. As we look towards the future, we see boundless opportunities to further our impact and expand our reach.

We believe that the future of aid depends on collaboration and innovation, and we are actively seeking out new partnerships and membership in order to test our offering in different environments. We know that the challenges facing the humanitarian sector are complex and multifaceted, but we are confident that our unique approach, combining cutting-edge foresight analysis with a commitment to collaboration and impact, can help to drive the transformational change that is needed.

As we move forward, we are excited to continue to work with humanitarian and development organisations, academics, research institutes and private companies who share our vision of a more innovative, collaborative, and impactful future for the sector. Together, we can invest in the future and take a systematic approach to achieving long-term impact, creating a world where aid is more effective, efficient, and equitable for all those who rely on it.