HQAI. So you can #TrustAid.
We provide independent, rigorous quality assurance to the humanitarian sector — helping organisations demonstrate their commitment to the people they serve.
When we measure, organisations improve.
HQAI is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation established in Geneva in 2015. We conduct impartial audits of humanitarian and development organisations against internationally recognised quality standards — foremost the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS).
Our audits are not a rubber stamp. They are rigorous, evidence-based processes that identify where organisations excel and where they need to improve — giving donors, partners, and the people affected by crises genuine assurance that aid is delivered responsibly.
“HQAI’s audit gave us the external evidence we needed to demonstrate our commitment to accountability. It wasn’t comfortable — but that is the point. Independent assurance has to be genuinely independent.”— Director of a CHS-certified international NGO
Our work is ISO-accredited
HQAI is accredited by Accredia (the Italian National Accreditation Body) as a conformity assessment body against ISO/IEC 17065:2012. This is the same framework used by bodies that certify products, processes, and services in regulated industries worldwide.
ISO/IEC 17065:2012
The international standard for conformity assessment bodies operating certification of products, processes, and services. HQAI is fully accredited against this standard through Accredia, Italy’s national accreditation body.
ISAE 3000 Assessed
Our control system has been independently assessed against the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000, which governs assurance engagements other than audits of financial information.
What this means for you
When an organisation holds an HQAI certificate, you can trust that the audit behind it was conducted to the same rigorous standards as certification in any regulated professional sector. It is genuine, not honorary.
How an HQAI audit works
Our audit process is thorough and participatory. We review documentation, interview staff and management, and talk directly to affected communities. The result is an honest, evidence-based assessment — not a checklist exercise.
Application & Scoping
The organisation submits an application. HQAI defines the audit scope, selects a lead auditor, and agrees the timeline. A pre-audit self-assessment is shared.
Document Review
The audit team reviews policies, procedures, reports, complaints records, and accountability mechanisms against the nine commitments of the CHS.
Field Audit
Auditors visit the organisation’s operations — including field sites — to conduct interviews with staff, managers, partners, and, critically, people affected by the organisation’s programmes.
Draft Report & Response
A draft audit report is shared with the organisation for factual comment. The organisation has the opportunity to address findings before the final report is issued.
Certification Decision
An independent Certification Committee — separate from the audit team — reviews the report and makes the pass/fail decision. The organisation is notified and, if certified, the certificate is issued for a three-year period.
HQAI Facilitation Fund
HQAI operates a Facilitation Fund to subsidise audits for organisations that would otherwise be unable to afford them — particularly national and local NGOs in the Global South. We believe that quality assurance should not be the preserve of large, well-funded organisations.
The Fund is supported by donors including the European Commission (DG ECHO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, UK Aid (FCDO), Luxembourg Aid, and Danida.
Ask about subsidiesGlobal South focus
Subsidised audit costs
National NGOs
Donor-supported
Due diligence efficiencies
HQAI certification is increasingly recognised by major donors as meeting their own due diligence requirements — reducing the audit burden on certified organisations.
Ready to start your audit journey?
Talk to us about which service is right for your organisation.
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