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[Resources ](https://civis.eu/en/resources) 2. Humanitarian Aid in the Polycrisis: Local and Systems Thinking Approaches Humanitarian Aid in the Polycrisis: Local and Systems Thinking Approaches ========================================================================= - Polycrisis - Policy recommendations - Researchers Policy Brief No.2 \| March 2025 By: Evika Karamagioli, Manos Pikoulis, Chrysafo Arvaniti The humanitarian discourse increasingly frames global challenges through the lens of overlapping climate, health, and political crises — often described as a “polycrisis.” While this terminology has gained traction in recent years, notably among actors like the World Economic Forum, the dynamics it describes are not unprecedented. Historical crises such as the Darfur conflict and the Sahelian droughts of the 1970s illustrate how environmental pressures, political instability, and communal tensions have long intersected. What is new is the heightened recognition and framing of these intersections by global institutions, albeit often without centring the voices of affected communities. As the number of people in need of urgent assistance is projected to reach 305 million in 2025 — requiring over $47 billion in funding — systemic change remains imperative. This policy brief offers actionable alternatives to address these pressing challenges by advocating for localized humanitarian responses and system-thinking approaches. Localization empowers local actors with cultural knowledge and access to affected populations, while systems thinking enables a deeper understanding of feedback loops and interconnections, offering holistic solutions to interconnected crises. - [ 2-humanitarian-aid-in-the-polycrisis-polycrisispolicy-series-v3-karamagioli-pikoulis-arvaniti-mar-2025-updated-may\_1.pdf (PDF, 4 MB) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/2-humanitarian-aid-in-the-polycrisis-polycrisispolicy-series-v3-karamagioli-pikoulis-arvaniti-mar-2025-updated-may_1.pdf) Other resources --------------- - ### Member Universities in Europe Logos 1 October 2026 Logos of the 11 member universities in Europe. - Communication and Dissemination - Branding material - Academics - Administrators - Researchers - Students [ See more ](https://civis.eu/en/resources/member-universities-in-europe-logos "Member Universities in Europe Logos") - ### Equitable Partnerships as Governance Infrastructure in an Era of Polycrisis 30 September 2026 Policy brief no. 19 | September 2026 By Emmanuel Ojo - Polycrisis - Policy recommendations - Researchers [ See more ](https://civis.eu/en/resources/equitable-partnerships-as-governance-infrastructure-in-an-era-of-polycrisis "Equitable Partnerships as Governance Infrastructure in an Era of Polycrisis") ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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