Review of Human Rights Advocacy of International NGOs 

FCG – Finland (final client: Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs), 2019−2020

Finland, Switzerland & Uganda

The purpose of the review was to assess the relevance and effectiveness of INGOs in supporting the human rights objectives of Finland's development policy, by reviewing INGOs' national, regional and international impact, with focus on advocacy work.

A  comprehensive desk review was carried out of all reports from 2015 to 2018 of eight organisations that had received support from the Finnish MFA. Organisations included the International Service for Human Rights, International Disability Alliance, International Federation on Human Rights, the Minority Right Group, International Commission of Jurists, DefendDefenders, Centre for Economic, and Social Rights and International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and the World Young Women’s Christian Association. An assessment grid based on the DAC criteria was developed and used for the assessment. In addition, meetings were held with five of the organisations based in Geneva, Switzerland, and one of the organisations was visited in Uganda. Virtual meetings were held with the last two organisations.

Draft chapters for each organization were submitted for each organisations’ comments before being compiled into the main report, which included the overall analysis and conclusions regarding relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, outcome/impact and sustainability. The Finnish MFA contributed with inputs during the consultancy. In addition, the draft report was circulated and commented from different departments in the MFA. Hereafter, it was published at the MFA webpage.

HN Consultants ApS provided the Team Leader and a consultant, and FCG also contributed with a junior consultant and a project manager.