IRMG Project Uganda - anticorruption

Some results reported; - Due to covid-19-restrictions, training had to transfer to a mainly virtual mode. However, this was not supported by enrolled participants; a survey carried out by the project team revealed that less than 10% of the enrolled participants were interested in a virtual learning environment as opposed to the interactive face-to-face approach. Because of this, training activities were temporarily postponed until face-to-face meeting were possible. Trainings resumed mid-August 2021. - Successfully completed the Phase 2 Safeguarding Training The target was 200 participants, mainly staff from member organisations (100 from INGOs and 100 from LNGOs) in three locations (Kampala, Arua and Moroto). The training aimed at building the capacity of both staff members (program, administrative and field staff) as well as the senior management team. In the end, a total of 210 Participants (149 in Kampala, 43 in Arua and 18 in Moroto) from 38 Member Organisations and 16 Non-Member Organisations were trained from mid-August September 2021. - IRMG was able to train a total of 715 NGO staff, of these, 381 Local NGO staff were trained (160% of target) on internal risk management and 249 INGO staff were trained on safeguarding (249% of target). In addition meetings of community of practice and end of project workshop were held. - Additionally, the safeguarding training also targeted building capacity of leadership teams (mainly directors) as well as the donor community from 23 entities. - Outreach to partners and CSOs that work with IRMG member organisations to take part in the training exercise. - Fund-raising for Phase 3 by IRMG Steering Committee Members. Not only identifying potential funders for Phase 3 but also establishing mechanisms by which the project could be sustainable in itself, should there be challenges in getting external funders on board. The completion rate of the program during the period was 75%, which is deemed good as a lot of trainings and other activities were on hold due to the lock-down in summer months and the general meeting restrictions. The end of project evaluation noted the clear foot prints/impact such as the existence of reviewed or developed safeguarding policies, as well as the availability of monitoring and reporting tools and the recruitment of personnel within the participating organisations.

The objective of the intervention was to mitigate the risks of fraud, corruption and sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse or breaches of organisational codes of conduct by INGO and NGO staff and partners in Uganda, including local partner organisations, vendors, contractors and volunteers. The IRMG project had three expected outcomes: (i) Improve organizational culture concerning dealing with fraud and corruption, through implementing the recommendations from year one assessment of best practices and gaps on fraud and corruption prevention, detection, and management; (ii) Improve the safeguarding practices and reduce the risks of Sexual Harassment Exploitation and Abuse (SEAH) and child abuse in NGO programs; and (iii) Leverage lessons learned and knowledge of the IRMG to benefit the wider civil society sector in Uganda to improve on managing wrongful conduct, including safeguarding practices and the prevention of fraud and corruption.