Accountability and Credibility:Framework Contracts with

Luxembourg NGOs

Sean Conlin Independent Consultant

Context• Luxembourg NGO background

– Vibrant scene– Diverse activities– Community involvement– International networks

• Government support– 12% of ODA budget to NGOs– Mainly project co-financing at 67%-75%– NGOs support 1% ODA target

• NGO effectiveness and accountability– Risks

• Framework Agreements (Accords Cadres)– Priority themes and countries– Planning and Monitoring improvements– Financial management and auditing

• Evaluation of Framework Agreements• Picture shows slum area in Goa where ARZ

is undertaking a programme against human trafficking, supported by AEI

Hypothesis and Questions“As formal accountability to external actors and powerful stakeholders increases then trust in NGOs and credibility with their supporters in the community is reduced.”

•Is there a decline in trust by constituencies, beneficiaries and donors?•Challenges and obstacles for improved NGO accountability.•Resisting the capture of accountability by powerful stakeholders.•How does accountability relate to legitimacy and credibility of NGOs?

•Picture shows PGSS animators in Uttar Pradesh supported by PSF

The Evaluation• Do NGOs benefit from Framework

Agreements?• Evaluations focused on:

– Changes required by Framework Agreements

– Organisation and Management of NGOs

– Planning, monitoring and accounting with partners

• Field studies :– Lack of permanent field presence– Partners in India, Cape Verde, Haiti

and South Africa• Picture shows a discussion with animators

in a post-cyclone programme in Andhra Pradesh supported the Church Social Centre and funded by Caritas, among others

Partnership models in India• Diverse partners in Scale, Internal

Capacity, and Legal Status

• Diverse partnership models for planning, monitoring, funding, accounting and auditing

• Wide range of stakeholders at high level and in the field

• Picture shows interview with Santulan staff in stone quarry, supported by ASTM

Conclusions• Framework agreements had encouraged

changes in planning and accountability, despite challenges

• Lines of accountability to stakeholders are not unilateral and vertical.

• The risk of accountability capture through formal requirements can be overstated

• Community support rests on achieving results and trust with partners.

• Need to focus on effective forms of partnership of NGO and government.– Political support– Tight-knit community relations– Good partners in the field

• Picture shows training facility in Bangalore slum area, supported by Bridderlech Deelen.