Accountability & Transparency Presentation by Subhash Mittal Training : Setting Up / Strengthening Sponsorship Unit for Resource mobilisation ISI, September 14, 2010

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Importance  Importance of Accountability & Transparency principles can never be overemphasised  Only if we can convince a sponsor of what we have delivered / likely to deliver what has been committed will there be a repeat donation  Thus the entire success of sustaining a sponsorship program depends on ensuring these principles  Considering the importance of this principle, it should become centre-piece of all policies.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Developing Framework/s  Need to decide if we need to develop two different frameworks (one for Accountability and another for Transparency) or a common one.  Purpose Accountability : To ensure achieving what we commit. Accountability : To ensure achieving what we commit. Transparency : Not only to disclose what we have actually achieved; but to generate confidence among our donors that we will disclose what we have actually achieved. Transparency : Not only to disclose what we have actually achieved; but to generate confidence among our donors that we will disclose what we have actually achieved.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Developing Framework/s……. Strategic Approach Strategic Approach  Accountability Framework would involve putting in processes to ensure that our program implementation processes achieve what we have committed.  Transparency Framework should identify how do we win confidence of our donors and how to put such mechanisms in practice (including communication, involvement of donors in programs, etc).

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Accountability Framework  Identify main stakeholders to whom accountability framework needs to address.  Identify all processes that would essentially help achieve our programme objectives.  Develop the processes in a manner that keeps focus on the central objective.  Ensure there are sufficient checks & balances for achieving the objectives.  Implement the processes.  Put in mechanisms which keep reporting if the framework implemented is providing the results as expected.  After implementation and initial testing, document the complete framework, including all the processes.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Main Stakeholders…………..(AF) While there can be several stakeholders (e.g Govt.), however under sponsorship main stakeholders are: While there can be several stakeholders (e.g Govt.), however under sponsorship main stakeholders are:  Sponsors / Donors  Community  Employees  Members/Trustees of the Society / Trust

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Planning…………………….(AF)  Planning should include information about total funds received under sponsorship and programmes required to be achieved in a given period.  Develop programme implementation timetable with details of activities to be undertaken.  Identify programmatic needs including men, material & means.  Wherever possible identify the accountability of implementing individual segments of the Plan.  Convert the programme implementation Plan into financial Plan (budgets).

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Programme Implementation….(AF) Without going into the details of Programme Implementation processes following principles may be considered while devising these: Without going into the details of Programme Implementation processes following principles may be considered while devising these:  Ensure persons being made responsible for programme implementation are aware of their responsibilities  There is adequate provision of review of their functions, so that there is adequate time to intervene if results not achieved.  Certain minimum documentation of activities under programme implementation to help such a review.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Monitoring………………….(AF)  Monitoring must not depend on complicated plans and large amount of data capture. Try to use present credible systems to provide comparative data (e.g. for financial data use accounting system)  Put in simple & effective means of monitoring.  It should compare the results with actual targets as set out and provide reasons for any variations, with recommendations for overcoming the same.  Final recommendations should be reviewed by senior persons having good experience and overall knowledge of the programme.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Transparency Framework  Develop the objective of Transparency Framework  Identify different communication strategies - reporting - reporting - frequency and types of reporting - frequency and types of reporting - one to one relationship between sponsors & community that they are supporting - one to one relationship between sponsors & community that they are supporting - Selection of communication strategy would depend upon a number of factors including importance of communication in terms of achieving the result, cost & benefit, etc. - Selection of communication strategy would depend upon a number of factors including importance of communication in terms of achieving the result, cost & benefit, etc.  Since Communication is being separately covered in details, same not being covered here.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Strong Suggestion Each CSO must develop a written Accountability & transparency framework for itself. This would help generate strong credibility with its stakeholders. Each CSO must develop a written Accountability & transparency framework for itself. This would help generate strong credibility with its stakeholders.

Presentation by Subhash Mittal ISI, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2010 Thank you.