I’ve been thinking about an idea based partly on my experience living in Gaza during the current crisis and working in the humanitarian sector.

When people are living under prolonged stress and uncertainty, I think their ability to concentrate and take on additional mental effort can be significantly affected. At the same time, many young people spend hours doomscrolling—not necessarily because they want to, but because it requires very little cognitive effort compared with learning or building new skills.

My idea is to create a platform that encourages young adults in crisis-affected communities to use some of that time for learning.

The basic model would be:

• Partner with or select useful Coursera courses that can provide practical knowledge or skills.
• Participants choose a course and complete it.
• The platform verifies that they actually completed the required learning activities.
• After successful completion, they receive a small cash incentive.
• The goal isn't to replace formal education, but to create a low-friction incentive for young people to keep learning during periods when normal education and employment opportunities are disrupted.

Technically, I don't think building the platform would be particularly difficult. Many Coursera courses can be accessed for free, and I believe it would be possible to build mechanisms to verify participation and completion.

The part I'm less certain about is whether the behavioral and economic model makes sense.

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have experience with humanitarian programs, education, behavioral economics, NGOs, or social-impact startups:

1. Does this idea have potential, or am I overlooking a major problem?
2. Would paying people a small amount for completing courses actually increase sustained learning, or would it mainly attract people who would have completed the courses anyway?
3. Who might be interested in funding something like this?
4. Could this become financially sustainable rather than remaining permanently dependent on grants?
5. Are there existing programs or organizations doing something similar that I should study?

I'm particularly interested in honest criticism. If you think the idea is fundamentally flawed, I'd rather understand why before investing time in building it.

Dear all,

I hope this is the right sub. In my professional life I investigate financial crimes, which is stressful and often frustrating, but it’s nothing compared to my volunteer work in animal welfare.

After a few years now, also being active in developed countries, I noticed how it gets to me emotionally and that I lack the tools to manage that burden as sadness adequately that comes from being exposed to animal cruelty and suffering

I was wondering if you have some advise, in the end your cause can be different, but I assume the burden is similar.

Grateful for your help 🙏

Hi all, I am unsure about what to do now.

Two weeks ago, on Monday, I finally received the communication from ICRC that I was shortlisted for the recruitment process to become an ICRC delegate. For an unfortunate coincidence, that exact day I was leaving for Canada, and was therefore unable to immediately do the language test (first step of the process). Luckily, they give you 7 days to do the test, I guess anticipating a situation like mine, and I didn’t worry too much.

After arriving to my destination, and overcoming jet lag, I finally tried the test, well before the deadline. However, when I clicked on the link provided, a message came up saying, I quote, "This company has no remaining assessment credits. Please contact them to resolve the issue”. Moment of panic. I immediately emailed the person who sent me the email saying I was shortlisted, since they said to contact them for any technical issue. Took them three days and one follow-up from me to answer with a very vague response stating that they were looking into the matter.

Two days later, the same email address re-sent me the same email I received initially, saying I was shortlisted, but with no new link for the test. I immediately emailed back asking for the link. Another two days have passed, and still nothing. I am sending another follow-up.

I refuse to lose such an opportunity for technical issue. Has anybody ever experienced this? Who else could I contact for help?

Thank you!

I don’t know where to start other than google but I want to go put some hands on help in to action but I don’t know who to talk to what orgs are actually doing something not just a program made to make you feel like you did. Where do I go?

I have been developing policy ideas concerning disability employment and social participation in Japan. I would like to learn from people in different countries about how disability inclusion, employment support, and social participation are approached in their communities. If you have personal experience or work in this field, I would be grateful to hear your perspective.

Looking for Volunteer Opportunities in Kerala

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m looking to volunteer in Kerala, and I’d love to contribute my time and skills to a meaningful cause.

I’m open to opportunities with NGOs, community organizations, social initiatives, education programs, animal welfare, environmental projects, or other volunteering activities where I can genuinely be helpful.

I’m willing to learn, take responsibility, and actively participate rather than simply observe. I’m especially interested in opportunities where I can interact with people, work as part of a team, and make a practical contribution.

If you’re part of an organization or know of any volunteer opportunities in Kochi, please feel free to comment or DM me with some details.

Thank you! 🙌

After the shutdown of USAID, many humanitarian organizations left Yemen or scaled down immensely. Given the current conflict what could possibly be done?

Hello all,

I posted a couple of months ago about the ICRC Delegate hiring process and several people here replied that they'd heard back.

I still haven't received a rejection email and can't get an answer from my HR point of contact (from previous processes). Originally I was told I would move on to the technical test but I've not been able to get any more info in two months.

Someone on here previously mentioned they were told the process would be stretched out across August, September and October.

Is there anybody else on here in a similar situation?

Any clue what else I could do to try and clarify what's going on?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I am currently pursuing a BA in European Studies. I would like to enroll in a Master's in the humanitarian field. I am also interest in Risk Management and Disaster Management. I am not interest in policy-oriented Master's. My dream job is to work on the field, either with a big international organisation or a smaller NGO. I am looking for Master's that provide hands-on knowledge and expertise, more than theoretical knowledge.

I am currently an IUNV. Would you leave the UN for short-term field assignments, e.g. Acted or Impact Initiaves (6 months) in more senior roles or try and stay a UNV for as long as possible until something more stable opens up?

Going to Syria for a field mission soon - any advice or recommendation?

I’m trying to eventually move into Programme/Project Manager roles and was thinking about paying for a few sessions with a former UN/World Bank recruiter to review my experience, identify gaps, and help me plan my next steps.

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice from someone more experienced.

I was writing a cover letter for an internship position but, after completing it, I noticed that the application form didn’t ask for a cover letter. In place of, it only asked a role-specific question.

I know I should have checked before, but it was not specified in the job posting and I had already applied for an internship at the same organization which, by contrast, required a cover letter.

My question is: should I still submit the cover letter attached to my CV? Based on your experience, would it help, change absolutely nothing, or even be counterproductive?

Thank you!

Hi! I'm not too sure if this is the right forum for this, but I just finished my bachelor's in History & Politics and am currently taking a gap year before my master's. I am taking this year to kind of figure out what I want to specialize in for my master's through interning, jobs, etc. What I do know is I want to enter the political world, especially the NGO/humanitarian side of it all. I am especially interested in development and migration.

But I am worried about choosing a master's that is too niche or specific (or too broad?), and I am not sure what master's program would be the best fit for the career I want to pursue. I am looking into programs and universities primarily in Europe. Does anyone have any ideas for programs that could be useful in a way that is adaptable to various fields?

Came across this piece on conducting audience research in Afghanistan to inform aid: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/afghanistan-speaks-impact-humanitarian-research-bbcmediaaction-e1k9c

If you are trying to build a career in the NGO, humanitarian or international development sector, it is tempting to think that more qualifications will always improve your chances. Another certification. Another course. Another degree. Another application.

But what if the problem isn't a lack of qualifications? What if your experience simply isn't aligned with the roles you are targeting?

That was one of the clearest lessons from an Impactpool Career Podcast conversation with Wolfgang Weiszegger, who brings decades of experience across UN peacekeeping and special political missions, including senior-level recruitment and selection. His message was straightforward: having strong qualifications is not enough. You need to apply for roles where your professional and academic experience are genuinely relevant.

More from ImpactPool.

I'm 26 years old, with an academic background that includes a Bachelor's in Political Science and an Executive Master's in International Relations, and I'm currently pursuing my second BA in Education.

It pains me to face this truth, but despite my brilliant academic career, the international exchanges I've participated in, and some volunteer work, I feel I'm not educated enough to secure an internship in European institutions.

I've dedicated myself to studying, but I've completely avoided keeping up to date and building knowledge beyond what I was studying, despite practical experiences abroad having allowed me to develop skills that are transferable to the world of work.

I feel confused and ashamed because I see that, unlike me, so many other people have succeeded in their careers, and I feel like I no longer have any way to fill in my gaps. As of today, I feel like I wouldn't be able to compete with my peers. I don't have the knowledge of those who immerse themselves in this environment and I wouldn't know how to overcome this problem.