Join the Charter

There are many reasons why an organisation should join the INGO Accountability Charter. You can read about the unique contribution of the INGO Accountability Charter to NGO accountability here .

Please find below the reasons why Jeremy Hobbs’, Executive Director of Oxfam International and Chair of the Charter Board, believes NGOs should become members.

To download this information as a PDF document, please click here.

Most Widely Used: The INGO Accountability Charter is the world’s most widely used multi-sectoral accountability framework for International NGOs. As of 2012, 26 International NGOs are Members of the Charter.

Multi-Sectoral: The Charter is multi-sectoral and transnational, covering environment, development, human rights, womens’ rights, disabilities, indigenous rights, youth, anticorruption and consumer groups around the world.

Rights Based: The Charter is explicitly rights-based, asserts INGOs right to free speech and independent action and reflects the values of its Members. It considers people and partners as key stakeholders and commits to the sustainability of the planet.

Commitment to Excellence and Accountability: The Charter is an expression of our commitment to excellence and accountability, good governance, ethical fundraising, responsible advocacy, sustainability and programme effectiveness.

NGO Owned: The Charter is owned and developed with our own resources, and directly accountable to our members and stakeholders.

Overarching Framework: The Charter has been designed as the overarching accountability framework of the NGO sector, streamlining the number of accountability initiatives already in existence. Specific sub-sector frameworks should be seen as complementary not competing.

Voluntary: The Charter is voluntary (there is no global regulatory framework for INGOs) but it goes further than this.

Integrity: The Charter is owned and governed by a company limited by guarantee – this enables the Charter Members to exclude or remove signatories who are in serious breach of the Charter’s principles. This protects the integrity of the Charter.

Independent Reporting Process: The Charter has developed a standardized reporting tool with the help of the Global Reporting Initiative – the NGO Sector Supplement – through a 2 year public multi-stakeholder process. This means the Charter is using reporting indicators developed with independent input and public consultation.

Independent Review Panel: The Charter has established an Independent Review Panel of eminent people from development, human rights, judicial, business and academic backgrounds. The Panel vets the Members’ reports and addresses complaints in relation to the performance of Members. The Independent Review Panel ensures that the Charter can provide a real framework for accountability.

Commitment to Improvement: The Charter provides training and support to signatories on reporting and wider accountability issues. It is intended to begin a process of peer-reviews to accompany the Charter.

All organisations meeting the Membership Criteria requirements are invited to apply for membership. The application form can be found here.