Success Stories: Multinational/NGO Accountability

Ford Foundation
Submitted by: Lisa Jordan

Issue(s) you addressed?

As a Foundation officer I can tell stories of others who pursued successful strategies. NGO Accountability is the issue. The goal was to get NGOs to think about this issue and to develop a well-rounded way in which to address challenges to their rights and legitimacy.

What did you do to achieve results? (If applicable, you may want to mention partners here.)

Organized conferences on the topic. Spoke with all groups pursuing funds about the issue. Supported innovations on the issue at Consumers International, Humanitarian Accountability Project, Global Accountability Project, Coordination Sud and a kick-off conversation at Hauser Institute which has led to an alliance between scholars and civil society organizations on the issue.

Challenges you faced and/or still face?

Accountability is often addressed through a narrow non-political framework—especially by aid agencies and other donors. There is a rising hostility in the atmosphere toward NGOs that will not successfully be countered by the narrow framework mentioned above. Some NGOs also resent the need to address the topic.

Achievements--current and/or anticipated?

The goal is to successfully counter the attacks on NGOs and better ground NGO accountability within a broad civic and democratic frame.