The Transformative Agenda also impacted the cluster approach. In December 2011, the IASC Principals “agreed there is a need to restate and return to the original purpose of clusters, refocusing them on strategic and operational gaps analysis, planning, assessment and results”. See more in the Transformative Agenda Chapeau and Compendium, especially recommendation 26.

Key Changes:

• The activation of clusters would be more strategic, less automatic and limited in time. Their relevance would be assessed on an annual basis, ensuring that they remain active only where they added value.
• Clusters would be stripped back to become lean, effective, and efficient coordination mechanisms, focusing on delivery of results, rather than process.
• Humanitarian partners would work together to enhance the efficacy of clusters by sharing leadership responsibilities at the sub-national level (where appropriate and feasible), and reallocating resources from the national to the sub-national level.
• Clusters would be professionally managed by dedicated, trained, and experienced Cluster Coordinators.
• Cluster meetings would focus on strategy, planning, and results, rather than exclusively on information- sharing.
• Meetings would also be held on a need-only basis and, where appropriate, jointly with other clusters to enhance cross-cluster synergies and reduce demands on time. Efforts would also be made to improve overall inter-cluster coordination.
• Information management would be prioritized, and resources pooled in order to enhance the collection and analysis of data on the progress and impact of cluster activities.
• International coordination mechanisms would be adapted to the operational context and support national coordination efforts.