Bond is undertaking a scoping exercise for joint action on the need for greater transparency of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) finances. We believe this is an important lever for change across a range of policy issues and is relevant to policy folk, data experts and campaigners alike. Join us to explore the problem and identify actions we can take collectively.
The last few years have seen increasing challenges to transparency and scrutiny of ODA, meaning little public information exists on budget allocations, how these change over time, or how decisions are being made. Recent developments, including the freeze on ‘non-essential’ spending, demonstrate we are now facing a crisis of ODA transparency. This has three serious implications:
· It undermines international development partners’ ability to make informed choices for effective planning and delivery;
· It hinders scrutiny and reduces accountability to taxpayers and parliamentarians, civil society organisations, as well as the communities and governments we work with; and
· It fosters an environment for potential, or perceived, misuse of funds, which makes the sector vulnerable to accusations of wastefulness from those who want to reduce the ODA budget.
For anyone concerned about these developments, we’ll be holding three drop-in sessions to kick-start scoping for joint advocacy. If you believe comprehensive, consistent, and accessible data on UK ODA should be published in a timely fashion please join us. During the sessions, we will explore the problems, identify potential advocacy objectives and activities, and begin to develop a plan of action jointly.
Register to join one of these drop-in sessions:
1. Thursday 11th August 10-11 am – zoom registration
2. Wednesday 17th August 2-3 pm – zoom registration
3. Thursday 25th August 11-12 pm – zoom registration
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Rosemary at rforest@bond.org.uk