FCDO reducing duplication: Recognising CHS value for due diligence
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has simplified its due diligence assessment process for organisations applying for international development grants.
The new approach will reduce paperwork for organisations that have already demonstrated they meet high international standards set by the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and is an important step forward for driving efficiencies across the aid sector.
Organisations certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) can now benefit from a streamlined application process when seeking FCDO grant funding.
This certification, issued through external audits by the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI), demonstrates that organisations meet rigorous quality and accountability standards for humanitarian and development work.
The new approach will reduce duplicate information gathering while maintaining FCDO’s robust assessment standards. While certified organisations will still undergo FCDO’s due diligence checks, they can now use their existing HQAI audit reports to fulfil large parts of the requirements.
The changes will:
- reduce the administrative burden for CHS certified organisations
- maintain comprehensive due diligence standards
- help drive greater quality and accountability in the humanitarian and development sector, through wider adoption of best practices
- increase efficiency in grant processing.
Tanya Wood, ED of the CHS Alliance, welcomed the move saying:
“This is a hugely important step for increased recognition of the CHS and will drive efficiencies for organisations at a time when the sector is under immense strain. We hope this change will encourage more organisations to seek CHS certification, helping to raise the standard of aid across the international humanitarian and development sectors.”
The streamlined process is available immediately for organisations with valid HQAI CHS certification.
For all other organisations there will be no change, and the assessment process will continue to follow FCDO’s standard due diligence procedures.
FCDO will evaluate this new approach as it explores opportunities to further reduce bureaucracy in grant administration, whilst driving continual improvement in the management and delivery programmes across the portfolio.
FCDO’s Mary Thompson said:
“The UK Government adherence to the CHS is core to our Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment strategy and also to our funding agreements. We all know that as donors, we need to be accountable to those people and institutions who provide or authorise the money we spend. This includes taxpayers, MPS, ministers and particularly the people we serve through our funding.
“We have an amazing opportunity to use the due diligence journeys to try to reduce inefficiencies in the system, avoid duplication and really importantly to drive up standards. It’s a tall order and will take considerable commitment on all sides to make it happen, but this is a significant step in the right direction”.
For questions or enquires about the above, please contact verification@chsalliance.org
Read the FCDO official announcement
See which other governments and funders externally recognise the CHS: https://www.chsalliance.org/recognise/