Accountability Tool

This tool translates the Charter for equitable relationships between NGOs/funders and grassroots groups principles into concrete, measurable actions.

How to Use This Reflection Tool

  • Use this as a mutual reflection tool—both grassroots and NGO/funder sides can use it.
  • Track progress over time, and use gaps as a basis for honest dialogue and improvement.
  • We suggest embedding this tool into existing processes, such as annual reporting or submitting it with partnership reviews.

If you have suggested edits or additions for this accountability tool, or if you have positive examples of how your organization/one you’ve worked with is meeting these principles, please share them with us in the following form.

DOWNLOAD/PRINT THE TOOL HERE!

 

How can we make our partnerships more equitable?

 

1. Let Community Needs Lead

  • Involve grassroots groups from the outset.
    • Evidence of strength: Meeting agendas, co-created planning documents etc.
  • Use shared decision making structures.
    • Evidence of strength: Formal agreements showing equal decision-making roles, shared governance models, etc.
  • Accountability should flow toward communities, not only upward in institutions.
    • Evidence of strength: Community feedback mechanisms, participatory evaluation reports, etc.
  • Respect collective leadership and avoid individual hero narratives.
    • Evidence of strength: Messaging guidelines, community-approved communications, etc.

2. Be Transparent About Where We’re Coming From

  • Co-develop a ‘shared values’ document at the start of partnerships.
    • Evidence of strength: Signed shared values or partnership principles.
  • Share origin stories, motivations/goals, timeframes and constraints.
    • Evidence of strength: Partnership onboarding materials, meeting notes, project briefs etc.
  • Have exit or conflict processes prepared in case trust breaks down.
    • Evidence of strength: Co-developed conflict resolution protocols, off-boarding processes.

3. Invest in Deeper, Long-Term Relationships

  • Put time into building trust-based relationships.
    • Evidence of strength: Regular check-ins, relationship-building activities, etc.
  • Address conflict and power dynamics through open dialogue.
    • Evidence of strength: Conflict management procedures, power mapping exercises.
  • Make funding or collaboration multi-year or renewable when possible.
    • Evidence of strength: Multi-year grant agreements, renewal criteria outlined.
  • Support emotional labor and movement fatigue.
    • Evidence of strength: Wellness stipends, trauma-informed practices, etc.

4. Commit to Addressing Rising Fascist/Authoritarian Threats

  • Have ongoing dialogue with grassroots groups on risks and challenges.
    • Evidence of strength: Meeting notes, risk assessment discussions.
  • Adapt strategies collaboratively to mitigate risks to the grassroots.
    • Evidence of strength: Scenario planning outputs, protective protocols.
  • Adapt funding or collaboration to account for National legal restrictions.
    • Evidence of strength: Flexible disbursement models, alternative channels explored.
  • Advocate for partners facing repression.
    • Evidence of strength: Public statements, support letters, legal aid partnerships, etc.

5. Prioritize Learning and Be Willing to Change

  • Make regular reflection and learning spaces part of the partnership.
    • Evidence of strength: Learning logs, co-learning workshops, etc.
  • Have feedback channels for grassroots partners that lead to tangible organizational change.
    • Evidence of strength: Policy updates, internal memos referencing grassroots input, partner surveys, anonymous feedback tools.
  • Non-traditional knowledge sources (oral, lived experience) are valued.
    • Evidence of strength: Inclusion of community narratives in reports, flexible impact indicators.

6. Proactively Discuss and Challenge Barriers to Inclusion

  • Identify and actively address barriers to participation upfront.
    • Evidence of strength: Accessibility plans, needs assessments, reimbursements and stipends (for transport, childcare, mobility etc), access support logs.
  • Give the grassroots leadership and decision making power.
    • Evidence of strength: Leadership roles for grassroots members, participatory budgeting, etc.
  • Center the Global South/majority and marginalized perspectives in decisions.
    • Evidence of strength: Diverse advisory boards, Global South/majority-led processes.

7. Limit Financial Reporting and Funding Restrictions

  • Simplify reporting requirements.
    • Evidence of strength: Short-form templates, oral report options.
  • Give flexibility on how resources can be used (within agreed values).
    • Evidence of strength: Budget flexibility clauses, real-time amendment mechanisms.
  • Make outcomes, not bureaucratic compliance, the focus of accountability.
    • Evidence of strength: Outcome stories, impact snapshots instead of long reports.