Africa/Global: The Role of NGO Self-Regulation in Increasing Stakeholder Accountability

Over the past decade there has been a significant growth in the use of voluntary codes of conduct and certification schemes as a way of strengthening NGO accountability. Current estimates suggest that self-regulatory initiatives such as these are in operation in over 40 countries worldwide. This paper from the One World Trust examines their rise and investigates the debate that surrounds them. The paper is particularly concerned with developing an understanding of under what conditions self-regulation initiatives can increase NGO's accountability to their beneficiaries.