We're reviewing how the Global Standard is used, and revisiting each of the 12 Commitments, ahead of an update planned for 2027.
Learn About the Review
The 12 Accountability Commitments underpin Accountable Now’s approach and support to civil society. The Commitments represent a globally shared, dynamic understanding of accountability, helping us and our Members to remain dedicated to the well-being of people and the planet. They also extend an open invitation for stakeholders to hold us accountable for our actions.
The Global Standard for CSO Accountability is recognised as a benchmark and tool for fortifying civic space, bolstering the freedom of association, and fostering locally-driven initiatives. Accountable Now and eight other accountability networks from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean worked together for two years to develop the standard. It was designed in a bottom-up process that included iterative consultations with more than 1,500 CSOs working at the grassroots, national, and international level. Via this process, we captured key and universal elements about what an accountable CSO looks like that go beyond borders, culture, and sectors.
The Global Standard Partners
Today, we proudly cohost the 12 Commitments, working across tens of thousands of CSOs worldwide. Together, we use the 12 Commitments as a framework from which we customize and contextualize relevant protocols, actions, and practices that work to build trust between CSOs and their stakeholders and align their actions with their values.
Map: countries where the Global Standard Partners, Accountable Now, or Accountable Now members operate in. Source: Accountable Now member and Global Standard partner data, 2026.
The 12 Commitments are organised into three clusters: what CSOs aim to achieve, how to approach change, and how to shift internal practices. Together, they set out a globally shared, dynamic understanding of what accountability looks like for civil society.
This handbook is designed as a resource for Accountable Now's members and other civil society organizations. It offers an overview of the 12 Accountability Commitments, with a rationale, practical actions, and examples for each. A glossary at the end defines key terms and common definitions.
The Rendir App is a self-assessment tool for CSOs to identify initial gaps. Available for CSOs and networks in three languages (English, French, and Spanish).
The Cooperation Committee for Cambodia maintains a standard for good governance practices for CSOs in the country. Available in Khmer and English.
The Australian Council for International Development maintains a good practice tool kit that provides indicators, guidance, and resources on various accountability aspects.
These Guidance Materials complement the Global Standard and offer practical advice on how to use the Global Standard to various stakeholders, such as CSO Accountability Initiatives, individual CSOs, policy makers and funders.
Accountable Now has partnered with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Learning Hub to provide free courses mapped directly the 12 Commitments.
In addition to sharing their tools and evidence-based insights through our dialogues, workshops, peer learning groups, and more – many of our Members undergo a reporting process – reporting against our framework which is grounded in the 12 Commitments.
Visit our Members’ profile pages to read their Accountability Reports and learn about their innovative tools, processes, Good Practices, and other resources that demonstrate their work in strengthening their accountability, particularly towards the people and communities they work for and with.
45,000+ organizations operating in 180+ countries are using the Global Standard to guide their work and put people at the heart of their accountability measures. Now, the 10 cohosts are working to review and refresh the Standard to ensure its fit for the future too. If you work in or with civil society, and believe our accountability practice should center the people we work for and with, we want to hear from you.
Get Involved45,000+ organizations operating in 180+ countries are using the Global Standard to guide their work and put people at the heart of their accountability measures. Now, the 10 cohosts are working to review and refresh the Standard to ensure its fit for the future too. If you work in or with civil society, and believe our accountability practice should center the people we work for and with, we want to hear from you.
Get Involved