Sign our open letter here.
Dear Members of the OECD DAC,
We the #ShiftThePower movement, a global network of people and civil society groups rooted in the Global South and North, including INGOs and allies within various places of the international aid system, write to you with a pressing concern.
For a long time, details governing the flow of resources from OECD DAC members to Global South CSOs have been “buried” in layers of paperwork and technical language in a manner that has been opaque and difficult to grasp. However, our analysis of DAC member aid flows reveals systemic imbalances in the distribution of Official development assistance (read the full report: Too Southern To Be Funded or its one-page summary here). Despite rhetoric committing to support Southern leadership and civil society, a significant portion of aid remains unofficially “tied”, disproportionately benefiting CSOs within DAC member countries, while marginalizing civil society in the South. This practice not only discriminates against Global South civil society but also undermines the spirit of the DAC Recommendation on Untying Official Development Assistance of 2001.
For example, we are aware of a little known clause in the Recommendation that allows Global North governments to consider funding to their own CSOs as untied if it is core support. We feel this loophole, while it breaks no laws, also undermines the spirit of commitments to support Global South civil society. Additionally, by restricting these funds to Northern CSOs only, the current funding practices are complicit in a system that undermines access to rights in regions experiencing a shrinking civic space in the Global South.
Furthermore, our analysis of the formal and informal practices that limit funding to Global South CSOs in favour of Northern organisations, including CSOs and private companies, reveals a series of disturbing assumptions the OECD DAC has made about Southern civil society. These assumptions and biases reflect a lack of nuance in understanding Southern CSOs and they include:
- Capacity: The assumption that Global South CSOs lack the capacity to effect change in their communities is flawed. We have spent decades building our capacity to understand and address local challenges, as well as navigating the complexities of global institutions. In any case, a lot of what the Global North considers capacity has little bearing on local realities.
- Trust: The relationship between the OECD DAC and Global South civil society has been marked by distrust. Southern civil society has not been trusted to take a lead on how to respond to local challenges. In continuing to maintain a system in which Southern CSOs must always look to Northern CSOs for funding, the OECD has enabled a system akin to the “indirect rule” found in the colonial histories of various countries.
- Assumption of guilt: OECD DAC members have continued to restrict funding to Southern CSOs in part because of an assumption of guilt and fraud laid on Southern CSOs who are assumed to be guilty until they prove themselves innocent.
We urge the OECD DAC and its members to immediately:
- Remove the legal and regulatory barriers for more direct funding to move from OECD DAC donors to Global South CSOs directly without procurement restrictions.
- Redefine Tied Aid Policies: Adopt a more inclusive definition of tied aid that acknowledges and addresses the implicit biases favouring DAC-based CSOs, moving away from defining as core support to only Northern CSOs as “untied aid.”
- Enhance Transparency: Implement mechanisms for greater transparency in funding. As it is now, there is no systematic transparency to track how much of the funds that go through Northern CSOs eventually make it to the South.
- Advocate for reforms: Prioritizing the voices of communities that are most affected by development interventions during decision-making.
The #ShiftThePower movement envisions a world where development assistance is rooted in the principles of equality, mutual respect, and local agency. We are confident that the OECD DAC can play a pivotal role in making this vision a reality.
We look forward to a constructive dialogue and are available for further discussion on these critical issues.
#ShiftThePower Movement
This letter has also appears in Portuguese.
Sign our open letter here to call for an end to tied aid and all discriminatory funding practices against the Global South.
Signatories to this open letter:
Organisations:
1. AACDS RDC – Democratic Republic of Congo
2. ACT Solidarity – Zambia
3. Action for Community Development (AfCD) – United Kingdom
4. Action for Women and Children Concern(AWCC) – Somalia
5. ACUCOBA ONG – RDC
6. ADIF, Association Pour Le Developpement Des Initiatives Feminines –
Democratic Republic of Congo
7. Adolescent Health Centre – Zambia
8. Advocates for Social Protection, Innovation and Resilient Ecology (ASPIRE),
Inc. – Philippines
9. Africa Philanthropy Network (APN) – Tanzania
10. African Alliance for Health Research Economic Development – Kenya
11. African Girls Empowerment Network – Nigeria
12. Amour Et Avenir Du Congo (AACO-ONGD) – Democratic Republic of Congo
13. ARSOW Nepal – Nepal
14. Asociacion SERES – Guatemala
15. Association of Refugees with Disability – Uganda
16. AVSD – Democratic Republic of Congo
17. Bango Charity Foundation- Nigeria
18. Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation – BGF – Bangladesh
19. Bathopele NGO – South Africa
20. Beyond Beijing Committee Nepal – Nepal
21. Biba Transformations LBG – Ghana
22. Bright Harriet Foundation – Kenya
23. BYC – Belgium
24. CAPAIDS Uganda – Uganda
25. Caritas Africa – Togo
26. Caritas Europa – Belgium
27. Casa Fluminense – Brazil
28. Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation – Philippines
29. Center for International Relations – United States
30. Centre De Recherche Agro-Ecologique Crae – Democratic Republic of Congo
31. Centre Resolution Conflits – Democratic Republic of Congo
32. Centris – UK
33. Centro para el Fortalecimiento de la Acción Solidaria – Mexico
34. Child’s Destiny and Development Organisation (CHIDDO) – South Sudan
35. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation – South Africa
36. Civil Society SDGs Campaign GCAP Zambia – Zambia
37. CivLegacy Foundation – Uganda
38. COFHED – Haiti
39. Community Based Organisations Coalition for Human Rights and Good
Governance – Malawi
40. Community Foundation for the Western Region of Zimbawe – Zimbabwe41. Community Initiative Action Group Kenya(CIAG-K) – Kenya
42. Coterraneos – Chile
43. Cs Savoir Vivre – Democractic Republic of Congo
44. Curiosity Design Research – Philippines
45. Defum Human Rights Association – Malawi
46. Development Expertise Center – Ethiopia
47. Dia de Doar (Giving Tuesday Brazil) – Brazil
48. Divine Intervention Impact foundation – Nigeria
49. Dream Weaver Organization – Ghana
50. Drug Policy and Harm Reduction Platform – Malawi
51. Durojaiyevic health care and old people initiatives – Nigeria
52. Enlighten Girls Education – Zimbabwe
53. EPIC – Africa – Segal
54. Equidad de Género, Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia – Mexico
55. Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance – Philippines
56. Family for Every Child – Global
57. Family Visions Child Trust – Zimbabwe
58. Fearless Project – Puerto Rico
59. Feed the Children – Uganda
60. Five Oaks Consulting – USA / Netherlands
61. FONAHD RDC – Democratic Republic of Congo
62. Fondation Alimasi Pour la Charite,FACHA – Democratic Republic of Congo
63. Fondazione Aurora – Italy
64. Fondo Accion Solidaria, AC – Mexico
65. Fondo Potosino AC – Mexico
66. Food Secured Schools Africa – Ethiopia
67. Foundation for Social Transformation – India
68. Freedom Studio – Nepal
69. Freelance – Philippines
70. Freeport Workers League – Philippines
71. Fundaci0n Socioambiental Semilla – Bolivia
72. Fundacion Barichara Regenerativa – Colombia\Fundacion Comunitaria
Oaxaca – Mexico
73. Fundación Comunitaria Oaxaca – Mexico
74. Fundación Halü Bienestar Humano – Colombia
75. Fundacion Punta de Mita – Mexico
76. Fundacion Sole Colombia – Colombia
77. Fundacion Territorial Paisano – Colombia
78. Fundo Brasileiro de Educacao Ambiental _ FunBEA – Brazil
79. Gili Child Foundation – Uganda
80. Global Change Center – South-South / South-North / Argentina
81. Global Fund for Community Foundations – United Kingdom
82. Gramin Evam Nagar Vikas Parishad -India
83. Gramya Resource Centre for Women – India
84. Grassroots Organisations Support Centre – Zimbabwe
85. Green Nature – Zambia
86. Green String Network (GSN) -Kenya
87. Grupo Semillas – Colombia
88. Healing Venezuela – United Kingdom
89. HelpAge International – United Kingdom
90. How-Matters.Org – U.S.A.91. Hugh & Sandra Davidson Trust – Isle of Man, British Isles
92. Human Development Society – Pakistan
93. Humanitarian Aid International – India
94. IDEAS Comunitarias – Mexico
95. IMGLAD – Philippines
96. Independent – Colombia
97. Independent Consultant – Colombia
98. Independent Consultant – Denmark
99. Initiative Pananetugri pour le Bien-être de la Femme (IPBF) – Burkina Faso
100. Instituto Sociedade, População e Natureza – ISPN – Brazil
101. Integrated Rural Development Trust – India
102. International Alert – Global
103. International Center for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) – Kenya
104. Jitolee Voluntary Service Association – Kenya
105. Kaisa Ka – Philippines
106. Kawempe Youth Centre – Uganda
107. Kenya Community Development Foundation – Kenya
108. Kole Oyam Alebtong Education Initiative Center – Uganda
109. Kyaninga Child Development Centre – Uganda
110. Ladies Empowerment Goals and Support Initiative (LEGASI) – Nigeria
111. Leap Girl Africa – Cameroon
112. Light House – Bangladesh
113. Lite Africa – Nigeria
114. Local4Dev Hub – Uganda
115. Mabisto Christian Mission – Tanzania
116. Makaia – Colombia
117. Mama Hope – Kenya
118. Marijke Priester – Netherland
119. Mariwala Health Initiative – India
120. Maskani Digital Peacebuilding – Kenya
121. Maynooth University – Ireland
122. McGill University – Canada
123. Measures of Justice and Democracy Foundation – Zambia
124. Metro Manila Persons with Disability Vendors Association, Inc. – Philippines
125. Mitini Nepal – Nepal
126. Mlali Community Trust – Scotland
127. Mncekeleli Productions Pty Ltd – South Africa
128. MOLI – Burundi
129. Mongolian Women’s Fund – Mongolia
130. Moving Minds Alliance – Global
131. MSF – Egypt
132. Mujeres Workers Progressive Alliance – Philippines
133. NA – USA/Vietnam
134. Nabweru community initiative for youth empowerment ltd – Uganda
135. Naturehub Collective Community Organisation – Kenya
136. NBosmont Ithemba Labantu – Hope & Trust – South Africa
137. NCD Alliance Malawi – Malawi
138. Nguzo Africa Community Foundation – Kenya
139. Noble Youth Foundation – Uganda
140. Norsaac – Ghana141. Organization for Social and Economic Development – Afghanistan
142. Pakistan Citizens Alliance – Pakistan
143. Peace Direct – United Kingdon
144. Peace Initiative Network – Nigeria
145. People’s Action for People in Need – India
146. People’s Participation – India
147. Philanthropy Advisor – United Kingdom
148. Proximate – United States
149. Psicología y Derechos Humanos PSYDEH A.C. – Mexico
150. PTF – United Kingdom
151. Queer & Allied Chamber of Commerce Africa (QACC Africa) – Kenya,
South Africa and Nigeria
152. Ranao Women and Children Resource Center Inc – Philippines
153. Reality of Aid Africa – Zimbabwe
154. Rede Comuá – Brazil
155. Resolutionist – USA
156. Restless Development – Global
157. S~M Galadi Charity’s Foundation – Nigeria
158. Saviak Foundation for Development Training and Education Centre – Tanzania
159. Savoir Vivre Asbl – Democratic Republic of Congo / North Kivu
160. Sistah Sistah Foundation – Zambia
161. Society for Gender Justice – Zambia
162. Solidarité Féminine Pour La Paix et le Développement Intégral
(SOFEPADI) – Democratic Republic of Congo
163. Solidarite Pour L’encadrement Et Lutte Contre La Pauvrete –
Democratic Republic of Congo
164. Solidarity Foundation – India
165. South Sinai Foundation – Egypt/UK
166. SPNKK – Philippines
167. Standerton Victim Empowerment Centre – South Africa
168. Tabang Sikad Organization Inc. – Philippines
169. Taking Care of Business – South Africa
170. Talent Initiative For Development-TIDE – South Sudan
171. Talk to Loop – Netherlands
172. Tanzania health and education organization (THEO) – Tanzania
173. TAS – Turkiye/Syria
174. TerritoriA – Colombia
175. The Equity Index – United Kingdom
176. The Greenlight Office – South Africa
177. The Healing Balm Foundation – Zambia
178. The London School of Economics – United Kingdom
179. The Movement for Community-led Development – Global
180. The Richard Kambulu Compassion Foundation – Zambia
181. The Saville Foundation – South Africa
182. The Sherwood Way – Peru
183. The Taala Foundation – Uganda
184. The Workroom – South Africa
185. Thubutu Africa Initiatives (TAI) – Tanzania
186. Tilitonse Foundation – Malawi
187. Toa Nafasi Foundation – Tanzania188. Trust Africa – Senegal
189. Twerwaneho Listeners Club – Uganda
190. UCC – Denmark
191. Uganda National NGO Forum – Uganda
192. UHAI EASHRI – East Africa
193. Union pour la Promotion/Protection, la Défense des Droits Humains et
de l’Environnement-UPDDHE/GL – Democratic Republic of Congo
194. Unity Empowerment Initiative – Zambia
195. University of Arizona – USA
196. Van Gendt Philanthropy Services – Netherlands
197. Vision Plus pour le Developpement Durable – Democratic Republic of Congo
198. Waloyo – South Africa
199. We Give Hope – Democratic Republic of Congo
200. WEMIHS Equality for Open Funding Now – Kenya
201. West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) – West Africa
202. Wilde Ganzen Foundation – Netherlands
203. Women’s Coalition Against Cancer – WOCACA – Malawi
204. World Connect – United Kingdom
205. World Economy Skills and Agro Development (WESAD) – Cameroon
206. Yayasan Gerakan Mandiri Pita Merah – Indonesia
207. YEDSP – Congo DR
208. Young Development and Health Focus – Zambia
209. Youth for Development and Peace – Congo DR
210. Zambia Social Forum (ZAMSOF) Zambia
211. Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) – Zambia
212. Zamkanda Initiatives Limited – Zambia
213. Zanyengo Trustee Foundation – Zambia
214. Zemunski mali umetnički centar (ZMUC) РSerbia
Individuals
215. Adriana Alvarez – Brasil
216. Aireen Grace Andal – Philippines / Indonesia
217. Bikey Tamang – Nepal
218. Cassie Denbow – USA
219. Charles Kojo Vandyck – Ghana
220. Chilufya Chikoti – Zambia
221. Claudia Rodriguez – Colombia
222. Daniel Kaludzu – Malawi
223. Diakhoumba Gassama – Senegal
224. Dr. Ehsanur Rahman – Bangladesh
225. Esther Kyazike – Uganda
226. Gary Shearer – South Africa
227. Ine Aerts – Netherlands
228. Isabella Jean – United States
229. JC Gaillard – Aotearoa
230. Jitram Lama – Nepal
231. Johanna Hendricks – South Africa
232. Kaltumi Abdulazeez – Nigeria
233. Kate Cummings – USA
234. Katy VanDusen – Costa Rica235. Lizeth Naranjo Jerez – Colombia
236. Marijke Priester – Netherland
237. Marwa Eissa – Turkiye/Syria
238. Matt Haikin – UK
239. Matthias Ulrich – Zambia
240. Mazvita Mutambirwa – United Kingdom
241. Micheal Gumisiriza – Uganda
242. Miranda Morgan – Canada
243. Moses Chirwa – Zambia
244. Natasha Umuhoza – Uganda
245. Nikki Raw – South Africa
246. Nina Blackwell – The Netherlands
247. Ogili Denis – Uganda
248. Palabatla Sujatha Raj – India
249. Pratik Karmacharya – Nepal
250. Rafal Serafin – Poland
251. Raj Mariwala – India
252. Rebecca Kabejja – Uganda/Sierra Leone/Germany
253. Reham Basheer – Netherlands
254. Revka Perez – Philippines
255. Rogerio Renato Silva – Brazil
256. Roya Pakzad – USA and Iran
257. Sadaf Shallwani, PhD – Canada
258. Sepiso Mushoke – Zambia
259. Shewli Kumar – India
260. Shobha Raghuram – India
261. Shreya Sen – India
262. Teodora Borghoff – Romania
263. Terry L Holley – USA
264. Vilda Atieno – Kenya