Update from NRC: Quality funding and harmonization of financial reporting, January 2020

Published Date

22 January 2020

Please see below an update from NRC on their efforts in the Grand Bargain (January 2020).

Quality Funding

In the framework of our engagement as Co-convener of the workstream on Quality Funding, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) continued to promote better understanding of the impact of predictable funding.

In December, together with Development Initiatives, NRC has released the study: Field Perspectives on multi-year humanitarian funding and planning: how theory has translated into practice in Jordan and Lebanon. The report has been launched through a webinar held on 16 January 2020, targeting field colleagues who contributed to the research as well as actors at global level;
To implement the priority actions identified by Co-conveners, NRC is leading the initiative to identify and compile best practices on quality funding from donors, aid agencies and partners. The picnic basket on quality funding will be finalised and shared with the Signatories by June.

Simplification and harmonisation

Money Where it Counts: simplify and harmonise cost classification and financial reporting, the NGO initiative led by NRC launched in September 2019 is now reaching its momentum. Together with Humentum, NRC has successfully created a Protocol for simplification and harmonisation and is now moving into the operational phase. NRC succeeded in securing by-in from NGOs and is currently exploring options for potential pilot with donors. The acknowledgement received by the Eminent Person of the Grand Bargain is extremely welcomed and instrumental to continue promoting the initiative.

In addition, NRC has continued its efforts to promote increased efficiency in pooled funds. In December, NRC together with OCHA released the study CBPF: the NGO perspective, officially launched at the Pooled Funds Working Group in New York. The study makes 13 concrete recommendations to further strengthen the CBPFs in the areas of flexibility and duration of funding, localisation, harmonisation, and governance.