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.
| Serial
| NGO Statement
| DFID Response
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- 1.
| | SUBMISSION BY SMALL INTERNATIONAL NGOs
2. Although the paper was submitted by NGOs, we have used the term Civil Society Organisation (CSO) in our response, since so much of DFID's engagement nowadays is with a range of organisations extending beyond the NGO community and including faith groups, trade unions and membership organisations.
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- 2.
| 2. Statement
DFID has achieved a great deal, but it fails to recognise the value of the contribution of small international NGOs to international development.
5. Recommendations
Recognition be given to the small international NGO sector for its past, present and future contribution to development.
| Conclusions
We believe that the small international CSO sector already gets recognition for it's contribution to development - the continued existence of the Civil Society Challenge Fund is testament to that.
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- 3.
| 2. Statement
DFID's reluctance to accept development alternatives that do not fit its predetermined model.
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- 4.
| 2. Statement
There are also major inconsistencies between DFID's declared commitment to addressing global poverty, and its policy and practices.
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- 5.
| 3.1 Diverse Approaches
The nature of government is to seek simple, universally applicable, systematic models of development. … this runs contrary to what poor people need and want.
| 3.1 A Broad Approach
DFID recognises the need for a broad approach to addressing poverty issues in different contexts and countries.
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- 6.
| 3.5 Involvement of the UK Public
Small international NGOs representing specific communities can link defined constituencies in the UK with grass-roots organisations in the developing world.
| DIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
5. We do recognise that small CSOs can make a valid contribution to mobilising support for development in the UK. UK Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) organisations have a strong tradition of concern with development issues.
3.5 Involvement of the UK public
We agree that it can be helpful to link defined constituencies in the UK with the developing world. DFID has engaged with faith groups in various ways in delivery of its objectives over many years.
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- 7.
| 4.1 The consultative capacity of small NGOs
Small international NGOs have a wealth of knowledge that could support and strengthen DFID's strategic goals; but it is not being tapped presently.
| 3.6 Appropriate Advocacy
DFID recognises that issue-specific groups can often be effective advocates for change and we have supported a number of these through the Civil Society Challenge Fund.
4.1 and 4.2 Consultation and Information
Consultation with stakeholders is a very important part of DFID's policy formulation. Although in our view the most important stakeholders are the poor in developing countries, it is untrue to say that DFID fails systematically to include small UK NGOs in consultation processes.
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- 8.
| 4.2 Lack of Consultation and Information
Consultation, when it does occur, is ad hoc and appears, when policy is involved, to be after the fact.
| DFID POLICY DIVISION REORGANISATION
7. This does present a challenge for small CSOs, and we have been considering what liaison arrangements we can put in place to assist this process.
4.1 and 4.2 Consultation and Information
We recognise that relationships and networks have been affected by the reorganisation of our Policy Division, and are currently considering how our newly structured Division can consult effectively with UK civil society.
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- 9.
| 4.2 Lack of Consultation and Information
DFID makes little effort to address this problem and does not consult systematically outside the five large NGOs.
| DFID POLICY DIVISION REORGANISATION
As the submission by the NGOs recognises, it would be unrealistic to expect consultation with individual organisations, but we are looking at manageable ways in which we can have a dialogue.
4.1 and 4.2 Consultation and Information
We consult with small UK CSOs for example through the Development Education Association (DEA) and BOND
We did think that BOND were an effective conduit for consultation and dissemination of information to small CSOs, but we will talk to BOND about the points raised in the submission from the "small" international CSOs.
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- 10.
| 4.2 Lack of Consultation and Information
Small international NGOs could be organised to facilitate dialogue along thematic or sectoral lines and BOND might well prove to be an effective conduit for such dialogue.
| 4.1 and 4.2 Consultation and Information
There have also been a number of consultations around specific themes. The consultation documents can be found on our website.
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- 11.
| 4.2 Lack of Consultation and Information
There is also a marked lack of visibility and access to important information held by DFID that is of interest to small international NGOs.
| 4.1 and 4.2 Consultation and Information
The remark about visibility of data is surprising. As well as publicising information about annual funding decisions on our website, DFID have for some years provided information about the CSCF to BOND whose members have always seemed appreciative of the information provided and the way in which it has been presented at annual workshops.
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- 12.
| 4.3 The Role of contractors
The use of private sector contractors to vet proposals has led to growing dissatisfaction.
| LENGTH OF TIME TAKEN TO DEAL WITH GRANT APPLICATIONS. COMPETENCE OF ASSESSORS
Our external consultants are very experienced in the field of international development. In selecting the teams, we took care to make sure that all the assessors either originate from developing countries or have spent substantial periods living and working overseas.
4.3 The role of contractors
A number of DFID programmes use outside contractors to administer their funding arrangements. Contractors are carefully selected based on the background and experience of their staff, most of them having a wealth of experience in relevant sectors.
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- 13.
| 4.3 The Role of contractors
the increasing conditionality of donor aid linked to privatisation has led to social outcomes that do not represent the interests of the poor, either in the scope of their activities or in the manner in which they are implemented.
| DIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
CSCF decisions are based on the quality of the proposals as measured against Fund criteria, especially the projected benefit of the intervention to poor people. In practice though, we find we have a very good spread of support across a range of large, medium and small civil society organisations.
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- 14.
| 4.4 Privatisation and Water Development
Water privatisation is largely donor sponsored and the release of aid funds is often conditional on the privatisation of water. Water privatisation in SSA has always required a foreign investor, therefore the international dimension of privatisation requires extra vigilance, particularly since water provision is a 'natural monopoly'.
| 4.4 Privatisation and Water Development
DFID recognises the role for the private sector in the provision of safe water supplies and appropriate sanitation, since the private sector can provide additional resources and more efficient management practices. However, we are seeking to ensure that private sector participation is encouraged through partnership with government and civil society organisations.
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- 15.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
The rights-based objectives of the CSCF are not reflected in much of DFID's work abroad.
| 3.1 A Broad Approach
We primarily support projects that strengthen the capacity of poor people to understand and demand their rights - civil, political, economic and social - and to improve their economic and social well-being. But we are not dogmatic about this, recognising that some rights-based projects necessarily include an element of service delivery.
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- 16.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
DFID emphasises that principles contained in its public policy documents are not binding on its staff and have no operational status. Instead, they are meant to publicise DFID's overall approach to development and, as such, are aspirational strategic documents that shape overall priorities for UK official overseas development assistance.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
DFID's approach to working with civil society has been set out in a number of published documents, but it might be helpful to go back to our strategy paper "Realising Human Rights for Poor People" which was published in October 2000 (available on our website). This outlines what DFID means by a rights based approach.
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- 17.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
DFID's understanding of rights can be too narrow to meet the diverse needs of the poor.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
The human rights approach to development means empowering people to take their own decisions, rather than being the passive objects of choices made on their behalf. A rights perspective means incorporating the empowerment of poor people into our approach to tackling poverty. It means ensuring that poor people's voices are heard when decisions which affect their lives are made.
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- 18.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
'The CSCF above all else is for improving the lives of poor people' (Para. 3.11 of the CSCF Guidelines for Applicants dated 6 May 2002) while 'initiatives which consist primarily of service delivery ... will not be eligible' (Para. 3.7). Yet access to clean water and a sustainable livelihood are fundamental and indispensable human rights.
| 3.1 A Broad Approach
Country offices will develop their individual approaches to funding of CSOs. We recognise that where appropriate, this may include elements of service delivery. But our country offices will not support service delivery projects that replace or cut across the services that should be delivered by governments.
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- 19.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
For consistency, the UK Government should be advocating the rights based approach within international development fora, in its multilateral lending programmes and in the policies and programmes of multilateral institutions. DFID should adopt a binding policy on indigenous peoples.
| 4.5 Rights-Based Development
It is not possible to develop a universal blueprint for working with civil society, but DFID's general approach focuses on participation: enabling people to realise their rights to participate in, and access information relating to the decision-making processes which affect their lives. Different strategies and mechanisms will be developed for particular country contexts
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- 20.
| 4.6 Scale and Cost Efficiencies
DFID's policy is to support civil society - trade unions, faith groups and community organisations. This is to be applauded but the allocation of funds should not be based on percentages and the type of organisations, but on the quality of the projects proposed.
| DIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
4. We make no distinction about the size of a CSO when appraising the quality of project proposals, other than considering an organisation's financial capacity to handle DFID funding.
4.6 Scale and Cost efficiencies
Allocation of funds through the CSCF is based on quality of proposals.
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- 21.
| 5. Recommendations
DFID be invited to release data of value to small international NGOs, probably via their web site.
| Conclusions
We shall ask BOND what additional information - over and above that already available - might be of use to CSOs.
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- 22.
| 5. Recommendations
A reciprocal consultation mechanism be established between DFID and small international NGOs by which both sides can listen and learn, probably using BOND.
| Conclusions
A reciprocal consultation mechanism is already available through BOND. We shall consider what additional consultations with Policy Division might be possible.
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- 23.
| 5. Recommendations
DFID's vision be broadened to acknowledge that there are diverse paths to be followed in addressing global poverty and that, in the end, development is primarily about people, not policies.
| Conclusions
DFID agrees that there are diverse paths to poverty reduction. Our policies are developed with poor people in mind, and we intend to keep that broader vision in mind as we develop future programmes.
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- 24.
| 5. Recommendations
We would like to request that the IDC undertake a formal review of DFID's policy and practice in relation to small NGOs.
| Conclusions
DFID would be happy to participate in any formal review of our policy and practice in relation to small CSOs, or to provide any additional information the International Development Committee may require.
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