Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Small International NGOs Group
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 During the International Development
Parliamentary Select Committee meeting with small NGOs an issue
that stood out was the need for more information from DFID on
certain issues. The committee has asked that a list and type of
data which small NGOs would like but find it difficult to get
be forwarded to them.
1.2 This paper therefore highlights the
type of information some small NGOs have identified as necessary
to facilitate their work, but have previously experienced difficulties
in accessing from DFID.
2. THE AREAS
OF DIFFICULTY
IDENTIFIED BY
SMALL NGOS
IN ACCESSING
INFORMATION
2.1 Difficulty in navigating DFID:
— Lack of clarity around who is responsible
for what, particularly cross-cutting issues such as gender following
the restructure both local and international.
— Details including names, location
and contact details of relevant staff.
— Departmental strategies within DFID
in the UK and the South.
— Information to facilitate participation
by small NGOs in country specific initiatives.
2.2 Statistical and data type information
— Disaggregated data on the poor: in
terms of various variables (ethnicity, age or disability).
— Information on DFID spending on gender
equality.
— Lack of clarity on definitive DFID
policy on key aspects of its work given that comparisons of published
documents eg Target Strategy Papers, Country Strategy Papers,
Public Service Agreements and Delivery Plans, may produce inconsistencies.
— Sex-disaggregated statistics in relation
to both DFID's programmes and to its internal organisation.
— Statistical publication relating
to aid expenditure to PIMS makers.
2.3 Transparency in relation to funding
priorities
— A list of all DFID-funded projects
including information on NGOs in United Kingdom and the South
receiving the funds.
— Clearer information about funding
opportunities for UK-based NGOs.
— Clearer indication of what DFID will
not fund in relation to project costs.
— Project areas DFID intends to support
abroad.
3. SUGGESTION/RECOMMENDATION
— Clearer information on contact persons
within the various DFID departments—regular updated organogram
would be useful (list of DFID staff world-wide by department).
— Clear funding priorities and who
to contact to discuss funding issues.
— Guidance notes on the role of technical
advisors versus policy specialists and clear information on who
to contact to discuss advocacy issues.
— Update guide to DFID funding opportunities
and proposal submissions, including agreed budget and narrative
templates.
— Information on DFID-funded NGOs in
the South and information on project areas DFID intends to support
abroad.
— Sex-disaggregated statistics in relation
to both DFID's programmes and its internal organisation.
— Statistical publication relating
to aid expenditure to PIMS markers.
— Information on DFID-funded projects
published on the website.
October 2003
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