March 7, 2007.

A Research Study on Accountability and Transparency Systems at Civil Society Organizations

AMAN Coalition had produced a research study on accountability and transparency systems at civil society organizations. The study was presented and discussed at two workshops organized by AMAN for civil society organizations’ representatives both in Ramallah and Gaza.

The study stressed the importance of adopting a general policy that calls for the timely release of annual financial and administrative reports by CSOs and the importance of initiating follow-up mechanisms for these reports. It also called for the establishment of special units at CSOs to be responsible for monitoring the adherence of these organizations to systems of accountability and transparency.

Participants in the two workshops called for making all evaluation and assessment studies on the work of CSOs available for the public. They also warned from the politicization of NGOs and the spread of nepotisms and favoritism in the appointments at these organizations. Finally, they called for the establishment of a national monitoring commission that would have the role of supervising the work of CSOs and their adherence to accountability and transparency standards.