CSO/NGO Consultations
Report to IATI Signatories, Partner
Countries and Steering Committee
Paris, 4 July 2011
• http://www.ingoaccountabilitycharter.org/
– Diverse membership driving significant work across the full range of ‘accountability’
issues: Open Information Policies/ Annual reporting/ Independent Review /
Complaints handling/ Impact Measurement / Ethical Fundraising / Anti Corruption
• Representation on IATI Steering Committee and IATI Briefing at Charter
Company AGM (with existing and some prospective members)
• CSO Open Forum on Development Effectiveness
– Accountability, Transparency, Verification chose as theme for (HLF, Busan)
– http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/position-of-international-civil,464.html
• Letter to IATI SC and Secretariat (jointly with CSO Open Forum) and response
• The Geneva workshop (23 June)
– Programme/ Participants / Presentations
Workshop Outcomes
1. The NGOs represented at the workshop affirm ‘aid
transparency principles’ and are asking how (not whether)
they can implement IATI aligned standards as participants in
a multi-stakeholder approach.
2. Concerns were raised about the proliferation and lack of
alignment of reporting requirements for NGOs (for example
among funders and between the IATI standards and other
accountability and certification processes.)
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•
One suggestion involves the possibility of entry-level IATI data becoming an
annex in Annual Reporting under International NGO Charter of Accountability
which uses Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) NGO Sector Supplement to
benchmark NGO performance;
Another is that evidence of compliance with the INGO Charter could be taken as
a form of ‘certification’ for NGOs seeking funds from aid donors
Workshop Outcomes
3. Organisational and personal security (safety) is an issue that
needs to be addressed in more detail, given concerns about
diminishing ‘civil society’ space in some parts of the world
and the ‘civic action’ role of CSOs/NGOs.
– One solution would be the establishment of some kind of NGO protocol to
inform individual exclusion policies.
– Exclusion policy protocols would provide reassurance and support for those
with legitimate security concerns but prevent general expressions of concern
from blocking progress in other areas.
– This could be a task for the proposed IATI NGO Working Group, with the HLF
and CSO Open Forum’s work on “enabling environment” providing a useful
framework.
Workshop Outcomes
4. Lack of capacity (technical as well as human and financial) is
(as for others) a major challenge for NGOs wishing to
implement IATI standards.
– Participating NGOs will need to develop Implementation Plans, with
‘sequencing’ to reflect the priorities agreed among key stakeholders
– Some external assistance will be needed to supplement existing levels of
inter-agency cooperation and NGO inputs.
– An important first step will be to map what information management systems
are in place to track use of aid funds
Workshop Outcomes
5. Time is needed to raise awareness of IATI, deal with
concerns, and encourage support for IATI aligned disclosure
– Many NGOs see themselves as development ‘actors’ (partners) rather than
‘donors’ especially where private rather than ODA funds are used
– Awareness raising needs to take place at all levels of NGO governance and
management, and across all functions (legal, communications, programming)
to demonstrate the benefits of better and easily accessible information to
achieve shared goals and responsibly manage perceived risks
– It is important for NGOs to be able to consult with aid donors as well as with
their in country (government, community and other partners) regarding
planned disclosures
Workshop Outcomes
6.
The goal should be to create a flexible framework
containing a set of interlinked standards, taking into
account the different activities of NGOs/ CSOs,
foundations and NPOs.
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•
This may be achieved by adjusting the IATI framework
(reviewed in light of “What applies – What doesn’t”) and,
without compromising the integrity of IATI ‘standards’, create
sub-sets to fit the circumstances
Applying fit for purpose/ value for money approaches will help
to determine the appropriate forum for engagement and the
right level of investment to assure meaningful transparency in
line with IATI goals
Next steps
• Presentation of outcomes to the IATI Steering Committee on July
5th 2011 and SC response to request for earliest possible
mobilization of an IATI Working Group on the Application of IATI
principles and standards by CSOs, NGOs, foundations and NPOs
• Development of an action plan in consultation with donor and
partner countries and other stakeholders to clarify the main
‘drivers’ for greater NGO transparency.
– Recognising need to bridge within the sector and within larger
alliances and networks between ‘northern’ and ‘southern’ voices,
consistent with NGO accountability to primary stakeholders
• Identification of financial and other resources
• Coordinating with other ‘IATI’ outreach initiatives, including the
discussions underway in the UK, in Europe and in the United States
and linked initiatives heading to Busan