Bond statement in response to ICAI's report: DFID’s partnerships with civil society organisations

A new report released by The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has given the Department For International Development an “AMBER/RED” rating for its working relationship with Civil Society stating that DFID’s unreliable and unpredictable behaviour absorbs a significant amount of management attention, to the detriment of programming and that weaknesses in process management, management of, and communication with CSOs have led to inefficient unreliable and unpredictable donor behaviour, regular and often lengthy delays, and unnecessary costs for, CSOs*.

Claire Godfrey, Head of Policy and Campaigns for Bond, the UK network for NGOs said:

“DFID could become a leader among donors and governments if it works with civil society in a way that’s meaningful, inclusive and deliberative. By doing more to help civil society work effectively and by preventing unnecessary funding delays that impact on local organisations and the very people we are trying to help, DFID could also promote the role of civil society globally and help us all to meet the sustainable development goals.”

ENDS
Notes to Editors

*Page 39 of ICAI’s DFID’s partnerships with civil society organisations
ICAI’s latest report: DFID’s partnerships with civil society organisations will be released 00:01 10 APRIL 2019. For further information please contact Head of Engagement Rebecca Lefort: [email protected] / 07760997745
Ensuring civil society is heard: Principles and practices to improve government engagement with civil society was written by Zoe Abrahamson, Claire Godfrey, Rowan Popplewell and Mike Wright.
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development, including Save the Children, Oxfam and Christian Aid. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information or interviews with the report authors, please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]