Global Standard for CSO Accountability BCSDN WEBINAR 17

Global Standard for CSO Accountability BCSDN WEBINAR, 17. 05. 2016

The Global Standard is an initiative of 9 well-established civil society networks from around the world. The overarching aim of the initiative is to strengthen the effectiveness of CSOs worldwide by devising a collective accountability standard. The networks will over three years cooperate to learn from each other, gain a truly global view on CSO accountability, improve their codes and reduce transaction cost.

Goals of the project 1. Strengthen CSO accountability through improvements in our standards and in our practices of implementing them. 2. Reduce transaction costs of multiple accountability requirements and standards evolution. 3. Contribute to a more enabling environment for CSOs as they demonstrate sound and responsible management that is rooted in collective values.

The Global Standard will be built primarily on the partners own accountability standards and also take into consideration other global initiatives, such as: • the Istanbul Principles, • the Core Humanitarian Standard, and • the Sustainable Development Goals.

What we want to do with this initiative? Identify collectively what is core to CSO accountability globally and capture this in a reference standard. Consider existing standards and initiatives when developing the Global Standard. Work towards aligning our own standards with the Global Standard. Encourage accountability standards, CSO peak bodies, regulators to use it to improve their practices. Learn from each other and improve our own practices. Use the Global Standard to empower civil society by increasing legitimacy and promoting a more enabling environment. Lobbying and advocacy with donors and governments nationally and globally to achieve a more enabling environment for CSO work.

Nine civil society accountability networks from across the globe have been identified as Project Partners:

The Global Standard will be used as a key reference standard for the eight networks and serve as a global point of orientation for CSO accountability worldwide. It will be written in a concise language and serve as a collective base for CSOs, donors and INGOs.

Content and Format It will include reference indicators that are verifiable. It will capture only globally relevant issues of CSO accountability. It will be written in clear, succinct and powerful language and reflects key messages in order to remain communicative. It will have guidance notes with a definition of key terms and how to adapt the Global Standard for use in different national and regional contexts. It will have no inherent verification or certification mechanism – implementation methods are up to the users of the reference code.

Proposal on how the standard will look like

Structure Commitment 3 rationale types of indicators: What do we do? (actions taken) What does the organization need to have in place? (policies and structure) What kind of change do we bring? (feedback and involvement of stakeholders)

The standard covers 3 clusters of commitments: Promotion and contribution for equal rights for all (Commitments 1, 2 and 8) Internal organizational standards/ management and transparency How we work with people, target groups and stakeholders? (Commitments 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12) (Commitments 3, 4, 5 and 9)

Promotion and contribution for equal rights for all (Commitments 1, 2 and 8) 1. Realize human rights to end inequality and exclusion In our work, we ensure to treat people fairly, provide equal access to our activities and support those whose rights are violated. 2. Support women’s rights and gender equity As CSOs we actively oppose injustice (such as unequal treatment for women), strive to empower women and girls, and work towards gender equity. 3. Strive for environmental sustainability The rapid decrease in resources and accelerating climate change is endangering people and nature at an unprecedented scale. At a minimum, we ensure efficient use of natural resources and minimizing the negative impact of our work on the environment.

1. Internal organizational standards/ management and transparency (Commitments 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12) Provide enriching and enabling work experience Motivated and capable staff, volunteers, activists or supporters working with us are key to success. We are creating an environment for them to thrive in delivering good results for people, the environment and their own experience. 2. Manage finances to optimally profit society We use diverse sources of funding to ensure our independence; we take good strategic investment decisions and we openly share income and expenditure with our partners, funders and the public to judge how well we are doing. 3. Allow for maximum of transparency Full transparency about the intent of an organization / movement, the way it is run and the effects it is having - is key for people to hold it accountable. Where this is not possible due to very restrictive circumstances we will still find a way to disclose this information to those who are directly affected by our work. 4. Ensure mission-driven leadership Our governance and management ensures that it is driven by the mission and vision it was set up to achieve and people’s voices are constantly taken into account when decisions are taken. 5. Place a premium on long term effectiveness We focus our strategies, activities and assessment of success on long term positive effects for society and the environment.

1. Build empowering people relationships How we work with people, target groups and stakeholders? Our work is guided by people’s ambition and needs. Working with us shall support their ability to take their own decisions and develop leadership. (Commitments 3, 4, 5 and 9) 3. Advocate with people for systemic change 2. Work as convenor, broker and catalyst to tackle complex challenges The challenges we face are complex, global and interdependent. We optimally coordinate with partners in alliances and coalitions and invest in the effectiveness of the ecosystem to collectively tackle the challenges at hand. We have a well-founded oversight of the issues and actors, support people who speak out for a more just and sustainable world and ensure swift course correction when harm is done. 4. Invite feedback, adapt and contribute to public knowledge We have strong systems in place that allow for constant check-in with people and experts to understand changes, flexibility in decision making to adapt and optimally capturing learnings to create public knowledge.

Planned activities for 2016 Refine and adopt BCSDN (internal) Code of Conduct Organize country consultations of zero draft in 10 countries with member and other relevant organizations (networks) – second half of 2016 Present the draft Global Standard and discuss it with relevant local/country stakeholders (esp. CSOs and cross-sectoral network with Codes of their own)

We urge you to use the Standard’s logic of intervention when commenting our BCSDN Code of Conduct! DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS: 30. 06. 2016

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