15. Implementing the guidelines: A plan of action

Guideline 15: Fund-raising

15/1 Standards:

Organisations raising funds from the general public should ensure that the messages they convey accurately describe:

- the work and purposes of the recipient organisations;
- the nature of the problem or need being addressed;
- the contributions made by others, including the people themselves.

In particular, fund-raising practices should avoid:

- the use of messages and images that might be construed as racist, elitist, sexist or paternalistic;
- projecting messages and images of dependency and helplessness or backwardness.

15/2 Monitoring:

Through collaborative arrangements, funders and/or NGO network/umbrella organisations and/or recipient organisations should monitor and review the practices of fund-raising organisations to ensure that agreed fund-raising standards are maintained.

15/3 Organisations established by funders:

While funders (including private sector organisations) may from time to time establish organisations for particular purposes, having similarities with NGOs as defined in Guideline 1, neither funders not the organisations themselves should present such organisations as true NGOs. Funders should, before establishing such organisations or taking over existing NGOs to fulfil the desired purposes, consider, in consultation with relevant NGOs, if existing NGOs could carry out the desired functions or if the organisations could be established and operated as independent bodies fulfilling all the defining characteristics of true NGOs.

all text © Commonwealth Foundation

Guideline 16: Operational Policies

16/1 Partnership:

The policies and operations of northern NGOs and international agencies operating in countries other than their own should be underpinned by a policy and practice of partnership with organisations in the country of operation, and especially with relevant NGOs, based on mutual trust and respect.

16/2 Consultation:

In formulating their policies, they should consult with relevant NGOs and NGO networks and with other relevant agencies in the country of operation, about:

- overall policies, strategies;
- operational and management practices;
- the potential and limitations of working with local NGOs;
- actual or proposed agreements with other bodies, including governments.

16/3 Research:

As well as consulting NGOs and others in the process of developing their policies, they should also inform the development of such policies through undertaking appropriate research, including taking account of local research and the prior experience of local NGOs in the country concerned.

16/4 Communication:

They should be transparent by communicating their mission, objectives, policies, operational practices, methods, and activities, and management and decision-making procedures to all relevant parties, including NGOs and NGO networks in the country concerned.

Guideline 17: Conduct

In carrying out their operations and in communicating information about their work, North and international agencies operating in countries other than their own should:

- respect the laws of the countries in which they operate;
- respect the cultures and traditions of the peoples and communities in which they operate;
- at all times act to foster and promote the capacities and abilities of local NGOs, including by participating in relevant NGO umbrellas and networks, and avoiding actions which might cause rivalry or competition with or among local NGOs;
- avoid acting in paternalistic, sexist, racist or elitist ways.