Since 2020, efforts to reform the aid and development sector have been growing in number and strength, despite having existed in spaces of resistance in the Global South/ Global Majority world for many, many decades. This is finally beginning to lead to a shift in the sector, where conversations about racism, power, and neo-colonialism can be had in mainstream spaces.
But one of the biggest barriers remains: who is holding actors with the most power and money accountable for their efforts to shift that power?
The funder report card is designed to encourage reflection in organisations that identify as Global North funders, particularly bilateral (governmental) and philanthropic organisations, as well as NGOs who also act as funders. Activists campaigning for a more equitable and decolonised global development sector know first-hand that values and behaviours, as well as structural changes, are just as important as institutional policies or practices – the funder report card seeks to shed light on each of these areas.
In December 2022, a wide range of OECD DAC bilateral donors and private foundations signed a Donor Statement on Supporting Locally Led Development, which included a commitment to “shift and share power to ensure local actors have ownership over and can meaningfully and equitably engage in development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding programs.” We see the report card as a tool to support signatories in assessing how well they are implementing this commitment, and part of wider efforts to ensure greater accountability for change.
The development of the report card is based on several waves of consultations. The first took place in 2023 with Southern civil society networks, leading to the development of a draft framework for the tool. This tool was discussed during a focus group held in 2024 with people and organisations working on related measurement initiatives.
In March 2025, we held consultations to guide the ongoing development of the funder report card. We are also building on the experience and wisdom of similar tools that already exist or are being developed. Below, you can watch videos in English, French or Spanish from the consultations that give an overview of our current progress, alongside the accompanying presentation.
You can also read the latest draft of the funder report card.
We are currently designing an online form to capture an additional round of feedback. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with your thoughts, questions and feedback.
There are many definitions of power. We have adopted the distinction between negative or dominating power (also known as ‘Power over’) and positive or transformative power. The tool seeks to assess how and where funders may be wielding visible, hidden or invisible power, and where opportunities exist to promote transformative power, which seeks to change the inequities of the status quo.
Based on a wide range of consultations, the following dimensions emerged as priority areas for Southern actors:
Cross-cutting element:
We would like to pay tribute to the inimitable Everjoice Jeketa (EJ) Win, an inspiring feminist leader who led the work on the funder report card up until her passing on 9 March 2025. Her vision and dedication to accountability in development and to defending women’s rights has guided this work, and we are eternally grateful to have benefitted from her wisdom.
You can read more about EJ’s life and pay tribute yourself on her Forever Missed website, and sign up for updates on the foundation recently launched in her name.
Rest in Power, EJ.
