What is this?

The International Aid Transparency Initiative is a donor-led response to increasing calls for greater access to information about aid. The aim is to “deliver a step shift in global public availability and accessibility of information on aid flows, for increased effectiveness and accountability of aid.” It was launched during the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra on 4 September 2008.

There are currently 18 donors who have signed up to the International Aid Transparency Initiative: Asian Development Bank, Australia, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, GAVI, Germany, Hewlett, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, UNDP and the World Bank. International Aid Transparency Initiative is also endorsed by the following developing countries: Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda and Viet Nam. In addition, in Accra there were promises from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and of active participation by the U.S.

An eighteen month process began in November 2008, which is currently developing:

• A common standard, format and set of definitions for the publication of aid information
• A code of conduct for signatories of the initiative

What do we want?

Publish What You Fund is working to ensure that the standards, formats and definitions developed by the International Aid Transparency Initiative fully reflect the Publish What You Fund Principles. This means:

• the proactive publication of a number of a list of types of information (Click here for Principle One);
• in a timely, accessible and comparable form (Click here for Principle Two);
• ensuring there are mechanisms to request additional information, and that people know that these mechanisms exist (Click here for Principle Three; and here for Principle Four)
• monitoring of implementation of the agreements made by donors

How are we doing this?

• Preparing and coordinating CSO members prior to Steering Committee meetings and attending the meetings.
• Analysing International Aid Transparency Initiative documentation and providing feedback.
• Monitoring and participating in the Technical Advisory Group and providing input as appropriate.
• Attending targeted meetings to promote support for the Principles and Types of Information and their reflection in International Aid Transparency Initiative standards.
• Maintaining the momentum of the Steering Committee’s work and decision-making.
• Maintaining the momentum in leading member states – notably the UK and Netherlands (see other targets).
• Use of media coverage and public campaigning as opportunities occur and are needed

Publish What You Fund is on the Steering Committee of the International Aid Transparency Initiative with a number of other NGOs. For a list of Steering Committee members click here.

There is related work on this as part of the DAC Working Party on Aid Effectiveness, which has a new cluster structure, with Cluster C working on ‘Responsible and Transparent Aid’ co-chaired by Germany and South Africa. For the draft Cluster Scoping Exercise Proposal, click here.

The first annual conference in the Hague was a great success.  For more information on the progress of IATI during its first year, click here.