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Why it is important for NGOs now?

Major donors have indicated a willingness to look at ways to improve efficiency in the use of humanitarian funding. A recent report commissioned by the UN Secretary General to look, amongst other things, into how to ensure resources are managed most efficiently, suggested harmonization and simplification of reporting requirements as a way forward to save time and resources and at the same time increase transparency. Major donors and UN agencies are soon to discuss a Grand Bargain to reduce inefficiencies in humanitarian action and embrace best practices. This will culminate in commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit in May. We want NGOs to articulate key challenges and potential solutions to be considered as part of the Grand Bargain.

To elaborate on the initial findings we organised round-table discussions in Beirut and Amman where we formulated suggestions for ways forward. We are now analysing all the data collected and integrating the information with the outcomes of semi-structured interviews conducted with key NGOs.

Preliminary findings from the field research together with the results of a desk review comparing institutional donors requirements and UN agencies partnership agreements will be shared with NGOs at a Round-Table in Geneva on 8 April. This will be an opportunity for NGOs to validate the recommendations and agree on key advocacy messages and asks to donors. Brief Codes of Conducts on Donor Reporting, Partner Capacity Assessments and Audits will be endorsed at the Round-Table. Come and join!