CSO/NGO Consultations Report to IATI Signatories, Partner Countries and Steering Committee Paris, 4 July 2011

– 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) – 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.) 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 Forums 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. This may be achieved by adjusting the IATI framework (reviewed in light of What applies – What doesnt) 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