When presenting together with our partners and donors, our aim is to highlight a collaborative partnership that acknowledges the value each party brings to the table. We aim to maintain transparent communication regarding the origins of our funds and our partnerships. Clear rules guiding co-branding can help achieve this goal.
The placement of logos and the applicable co-branding guidelines depend on the leader of the marketing effort. Before proceeding, consider the following questions:
Who is the lead brand?
Does the partner have co-branding guidelines?
Do we have permission to use their logo?
Do we have their logo in high-resolution or vector formats?
Depending on the asset or the nature of the partnership, it might be better to develop two versions of the asset: one led by the partner and another led by the IFRC.
When the IFRC takes the lead in a marketing effort, follow our co-brand guidelines and templates. This doesn't mean disregarding the partner's brand guidelines; rather, it means using our fonts, visuals, and colour palettes in creating marketing materials. It's essential to treat partner's brand with the same respect as our own. Please use their logo without any alterations and follow their rules regarding safe space around the logo.
In this case, when using co-branding logo lockups, the IFRC logo is positioned first.
The IFRC regularly works with a range of partners outside the Movement. External partners can include government agencies or other public authorities, armed and security forces, universities, non-governmental organisations, the corporate sector or the media. These partnerships can have a number of purposes, such as training, education, dissemination, awareness-raising and positioning.
Service providers may not use the IFRC logo.
Due diligence and screening of donors must be carried out before name and logo usage permission is given.
The logo may only be used by donors that enter into partnership with the IFRC.
The IFRC prohibits the use of its name or image on articles for sale.
Use of the name or image of the IFRC must not cause confusion in the public's mind between the IFRC and the partner's activities and/or the quality of its products and services.
The name and image of the IFRC may only be used in connection with goods or services actually provided.
The IFRC must derive material or financial benefits from the use of its name or image through improved relations with the provider.
The IFRC reserves the right to withdraw its authorization at any time if there is a risk that a provider's activities might jeopardize the IFRC's reputation.
The IFRC may give permission to a partner company to display their logo on advertising or promotional material, but not directly on the partner’s products for sale or distribution.
When developing joint advertisements or other promotional materials, it is important to be clear about the association, in order to avoid any perception that IFRC is endorsing the company, its products or services.
It is not unusual for external partners to want to use the emblems in ways that aren’t in line with the 1991 Emblem Regulations or in a manner which implies a special status, as a result of too close an association with the emblems. Be sure to check any logo usage to prevent the corporate partner appearing to be part of the IFRC network or Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
When a partner leads a marketing initiative, co-branded materials should align with the partner's branding, consistent with any marketing materials they usually produce for themselves. It means that they are responsible for creating marketing materials and obtaining necessary approvals from the IFRC.
In this case, when using co-branding logo lockups, the IFRC logo is positioned second.
Logos vary in shapes and sizes, and our partners and customers may have specific rules or expectations regarding their logo usage. This is why, we offer two lockup options. Regardless of the chosen template, it's crucial to ensure a balanced co-brand appearance. Try to maintain logos at a visually similar size and weight for optimal visual harmony.
In some cases, it may be necessary to clarify the nature of our relationship with a partner or donor. We provide four alternatives for co-branding logo lockups, each consisting of the IFRC logo and a statement: 'In partnership with,' 'Supporting,' 'Supported by,' or 'Hosted by':
Other statements can be developed following this example. Please consult with our Strategic Partnerships and Resource Development department to determine which statement is appropriate for use.
The IFRC logo is our most recognisable visual identifier, representing our organisation and laying the foundation for a cohesive visual identity.
As it is often the first thing our audiences see, it is crucial to use it correctly and consistently across print and digital materials.
Download logo:
The IFRC logo consists of four elements: the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, the word 'IFRC', and a white background.
Our emblems have worldwide recognition in national and international law under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. It is essential that the design of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems stay unchanged. They are symbols of assistance in times of conflict and disaster and must be protected against misuse and abuse.
Read more about the emblems following this link.
At the 2019 International Conference, a decision was reached in agreement with all National Societies to exclusively use the acronym 'IFRC' in English. This is why, we do not have alternative language versions of the logo.
Please note that the white background is an essential component of the IFRC logo and should never be removed.
The white background should always be larger than the space covered by the emblems and text. You can find the guidelines on defining the size of the white container in the Clear Space section.
The logo must maintain a distinct and clear appearance at all times.
Regardless of the logo version used, it is essential to allocate a minimum clear space around it, free from any other visual elements. As the logo will be presented in various sizes, the clear space requirements should be proportional to the logo's dimensions.
Determine the logo’s clear space and the size of white container by measuring the size of the “x”, where “x” is the height of the emblems.
The IFRC logo uses three primary colours out of four. Find out more about all primary colours here.
Please only use the grayscale logos in situations where a full-colour option is impossible, such as in black-and-white newspapers, or in cases when multi-colour printing is unavailable.
You can download logo in grayscale here:
If you want to learn more about the history of Emblems and the Movement logo please follow this link.
The Movement has three globally recognised emblems—the red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal. They are symbols of assistance in times of conflict and disaster.
The use of emblems is safeguarded by international humanitarian law. Regulations governing the graphic depiction of the red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal on a white background must strictly adhere to.
Article 44 of the First Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 makes the distinction between the protective use and thew indicative use of the emblems and outlines the general rules governing the two uses.
Used in times of armed conflict.
In protective use, to ensure maximum visibility, the emblems must be large in comparison to the person or object displaying it, e.g. on rooftops or armbands.
Mainly used in times of peace.
The emblems may be used as part of a national society logo to indicate that a person or object is linked to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
The red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal must always be in plain solid red.
The shapes of the red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal must never be altered.
The cross, the crescent and the crystal must always appear on a white background. No variations, not even beige or grey shading, are allowed.
No lettering, design or object should be superimposed on the red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal or white background.
The red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal should never be three-dimensional.
The red cross, the red crescent and the red crystal should never be used in series as a border or a pattern.
The Geneva Conventions Act 1958 prohibits any design nearly resembling the emblems “as to be capable of being mistaken for, or understood as referring to, one of those emblems.”
The 1958 Act also prohibits the use of the white cross on a red background to represent any activity associated with a Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society.
Despite the significance of the emblem internationally, it is still widely misused by unrelated organisations including the manufacturers of first aid products, pharmacies, vets and medical professionals. Even if misuse occurs in a country that is not experiencing armed conflict, it can impair the emblem’s image and reputation globally and may weaken its protective effect.
If there is reasonable doubt that a mark or sign could be mistaken for the official emblems, it must be considered an imitation and not be registered as a trademark or used in any other way.
The Movement logo represents all three parts of the Movement as one: the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and our 191 National Societies.
The Movement logo is used for representation, communication, promotion and fundraising purposes. It is not used for operational activities and its display requires special approval. Please contact brand@ifrc.org to get permission to use the Movement logo.
