Current consultations

question marks DFID Consultation on UK Government Policy on reproductive, maternal and newborn health in the developing world

International Development Committee inquiry

European Commission consultation on voluntary guidelines for non-profit organisations

International development policy issues

DFID Consultation on UK Government Policy on reproductive, maternal and newborn health in the developing world

DFID is currently developing their business plan to improve reproductive, maternal and newborn health. They have now launched the opportunity for interested groups to participate in this process and submit comments to a public consultation.

The deadline for participating in the consultation is 20 October 2010. There are four different ways you can take part:

Take a short online survey
Have your say: add you responses in the online area
Download the response template and submit your feedback by email to choiceforwomen@dfid.gov.uk
Facilitate a group discussion: download the presentation document created by DFID to stimulate discussion and submit your feedback

For more information on the process and ways you can contribute, please visit the maternal health consultation page

The operating environment for NGOs

International Development Committee inquiry

The International Development Committee opened an inquiry into the Department for International Development's Annual Report, DFID in 2009-10, and the Department's Resource Accounts for 2009-10.

The Committee is calling for short written submissions from interested organisations and individuals and is particularly interested in receiving evidence which addresses the following issues:

DFID's approach to assessing the effectiveness of aid and the role of DFID's new aid watchdog
Reduction in DFID's administration costs
DFID's use of technical assistance and consultants and whether reducing this expense could be an appropriate target for the new Government
The work of CDC, a DFID owned fund management business, which invests in the private sectors in developing countries especially Africa and South Asia.

Written evidence must be submitted by 10 September 2010.

Bond will be working closely with UKAN and other organisations on a joint submission to the IDC particularly around the effectiveness of DFID's work. If you want to get engaged please get in touch with the Bond Advocacy Team

Read the detailed guidance for evidence to House of Commons Select Committees

For further information, please see the DFID in 2009-10 and Resource Accounts 2009-10 inquiry page.

European Commission consultation on voluntary guidelines for non-profit organisations

The European Commission is currently carrying out a consultation on voluntary guidelines for non-profit organisations. The draft guidelines will be attached to a Commission Communication, which will go forward to the European Council and Parliament for political approval.

The purpose of the guidelines is to raise NGO awareness of their risk of being abused for terrorist financing purposes and to encourage NGOs to review their internal rules. The draft guidelines cover governance, financial accountability, donor relations, beneficiary relations and the reporting of suspicious activity.

Read the Commission Discussion Paper and draft guidelines

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 15 September 2010. It is not currently clear from the Commission's website where responses should be submitted, but if you wish to submit a response, you may send it to Katherine Astill, Sector Advocacy Officer, 0207 520 0252 and we will ensure that it reaches the appropriate person in the Commission. Bond will also submit a response, to which members are invited to contribute.