Good Practice Library
Good Practice Library
Through our accountability reporting process, our Independent Review Panel identifies good practices from the reports sent by our members. Browse our library and get inspired by innovative CSO accountability practices!
Do you have any questions about our good practices or do you think your organisation has something to contribute? Get in touch!
CIVICUS’ approach to environmental stewardship
CIVICUS has made improvements on their environmental practices since its last report. Their new and comprehensive Environmental Policy was put in place with detailed information on efforts to mitigate negative environmental impacts. It includes targets in the areas of energy and water, office supplies, transportation, maintenance and cleaning, and culture. Environmental awareness training is being introduced for staff in parallel with the new policy.
Topics:CARE International’s approach to sustainable projects – Scale by Design accelerator
CARE International’s approach to sustainable projects – Scale by Design accelerator #LastingPositiveChange What makes this practice exemplary? CARE’s Scale by Design Accelerator supports development practitioners within CARE and its partners to design innovative projects for scale and sustainability from the outset. The Panel commends this initiative as a good practice. Find out more Read the full accountability report Read & Download
Topics:Article 19 goes beyond the obvious barriers that women and LGBTQI experience as part of its strategy and approach
The IRP applauds the organisation’s clear commitment to justice and equality (Commitment 1) and women’s rights and gender equality (Commitment 2) by considering less well known or understood factors. It also commends Article 19 for coming up with creative solutions from its logistical arrangements to its monitoring and evaluation.
Topics:How SOS Children’s Villages engages children and youth in all aspects of their work
YouthCan! is a partnership project focused on giving vulnerable young people the opportunity to become ready for the job market and to lead independent lives. Project partners make use of their expertise, networks and experience to create new avenues and opportunities for young people to transition successfully into professional life. Young people are also involved in the evaluation of programmes.
Topics:SOS Children’s Villages’ user-appropriate feedback and complaints mechanisms
All of the information about SOS’ various feedback mechanisms is easily accessible on their website. The mechanism for safeguarding concerns is particularly accessible. It is available in six languages and has a separate submission form aimed at children, which uses language that speaks directly to them, provides examples of what kind of behaviour to report and explains how to submit anonymous reports.
Topics:Restless Development focuses on partnerships and capacity-building for more sustainable outcomes
Restless Development is committed to capacity building for its partners at various levels and supports increased Southern CSO engagement in advocacy and influencing. There is a focus on reaching out beyond target implementation groups and countries, with support given to a variety of alliances, networks, and individual partners.
Topics:Beyond reduce, re-use, recycle – MIO-ECSDE’s comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability
MIO-ECSDE increasingly holds Annual General Meetings (AGMs) virtually, having face to face events only every 2 or 3 years. Staff are encouraged to use video-conferencing (including for Board meetings and AGMs, which are now held physically only every 2-3 years). Moreover, a thorough green events policy requires venues to apply eco-standards and provide plastic-free catering services and locally sourced food.
Topics:MIO-ECSDE’s consultative and comprehensive process to develop policy and advocacy positions
MIO-ECSDE has a sound and detailed process for the development of policy positions. The process is underpinned by ongoing monitoring of relevant research and policy developments to stay abreast of emerging issues. A draft position document is developed, then discussed in consultations with members, partners, experts, and other networks before being finalised. Policy products are disseminated widely, and their effectiveness and impact is monitored. Results are shared with the Secretariat and Executive Bureau to close the loop for further actions including corrections or adjustments.
Topics:MIO-ECSDE ensures they maintain independence whilst acquiring funding
MIO-ECSDE sees its reputation, integrity, high calibre and independence as its main capital, and highlights the importance of safeguarding these qualities. In practice, this means there are criteria regarding the sources and conditions of funding from private sources – these must be transparent, carefully scrutinised, and free from any influence on MIO-ECSDE’s policy and strategy.
Topics:Educo’s financial statements are audited by two firms
The 2014 financial statements were audited by two auditing firms, Ernst & Young and Audalia. As a control measure, both firms had to agree on their opinion about the accounts. To date, Educo is the only NGO in Spain that uses this co-auditing system. Later on, Educo presented annually its audited financial statements to the Protectorate of Foundations of the Generalitat de Catalunya, in which the organisation is legally registered, and the statements were published on the website.
Topics:CBM ensures sustainable outcomes through strong partnerships and local ownership
In 2017 CBM began developing its partnership principles in line with its programme commitments; these aim to build on locally driven development agendas and ensure local ownership of projects. Participatory approaches are applied throughout CBM’s project cycle management and country planning processes to further increase ownership. This leads to outcomes which often last beyond the project cycle.
Topics:CBM leads the way on disability inclusiveness with their Disability Inclusive Development standards
Inclusion is one of CBM’s core values and the organisation takes proactive measures to ensure both their programmes and working environment are accessible to and inclusive of persons with disabilities. A policy framework on inclusion and an accessibility policy guide CBM’s work and operations, and their disability inclusive development (DID) standards align with the human-rights based approach to ensure the voices of persons with disabilities are heard.
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