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This term of reference outlines the establishment of a working group aimed at strengthening the dialogue between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Public Development Banks (PDBs) in supporting the development of an action plan and advocacy strategy focused on financing for sustainable development.   

We want to come together to build a strong and inclusive movement that can bring diverse voice form civil society into the financing for development process including the development of an action plan and strategy to strengthen CSO/PDB relationship by:  

• Supporting the development of an action plan and advocacy strategy for financing for development.
• Reviewing the action plan for implementation that includes studies on how public development banks are incorporating human rights principles into their operations.
• Reviewing an advocacy and engagement strategy covering specific themes related to financing for development.

The working group will focus on the following human rights principles:

• Principles and best practices for good governance mechanisms and meaningful participation of civil society organizations in the financing for development processes.
• Principles and best practices for Public Development Banks (PDBs) to effectively integrate a people-centered and human rights-based approach into their governance, policy, and practices.
• People-centered approach, localization, and alignment of investment priorities to sustainable development and human rights commitments.
• Enabling environment and CSOs capacities to follow and influence the work of PDBs at national, regional, and global levels.

The financing for development (FfD) working group will constitute of CSOs from within the membership of the network with expertise in sustainable development, human rights, and finance   which agrees to the primary objective of the working group. All members are invited to contribute to achieving the objective of the working group by engaging in its tasks. These include information sharing, participation in the working group and development of action plan and advocacy strategy for financing for development.

Civil Society Organisations interested in joining the working group as members may fill the interest form to be a part of the FfD working group and subscribe willing to the objective(s) of the working group. Each member of the working group retains the right to leave the group at any time, notably if circumstances prevent their effective involvement and implementation of the working group activities. Members wishing to withdraw from the working group for any reason may do so at any time by sending an email to adeola.odunsi@nnngo.org informing of such decision.

The working group members’ main responsibilities include:

• Collaboratively developing an action plan and reviewing advocacy strategy for financing for development.
• Reviewing the action plan for implementation, with a focus on human rights incorporation by financial institutions.
• Implementing the developed advocacy and engagement strategy, including communications and campaigns covering the specified themes related to financing for development.

The working group will operate within a specified timeline and deliver the following:

• • A draft action plan and advocacy strategy (March – April 2024).
  • A reviewed and finalized action plan for implementation (March – April 2024).
  • A reviewed and finalized advocacy/engagement strategy, including communications and campaign plans (May – June 2024).    

The working group will be loose or informal and will work through online and offline methods. At least host regular online meetings and one physical meeting to discuss and agree with regular communication with members through email, SMS and telephone calls where appropriate. The Coalition will be hosted by the Nigeria Network of NGOs with a dedicated staff managing the implementation and coordination of activities related to achieving the objectives of the working group. Membership will be open to all civil society organisations interested in financing sustainable development and related issues.

A consensus- based decision-making model is the preferred method of work of the working group. To this end, the working group cannot take fundamental decisions when consensus cannot be reached. Fundamental decisions include, for example, to draft a joint action plan or undertake other major activities intended to engage the working group. To achieve the working group objectives, agreement on fundamental decisions is sought from the entire working group membership.

The working group will be loose or informal and will work through online and offline methods. At least host regular online meetings and one physical meeting to discuss and agree with regular communication with members through email, SMS and telephone calls where appropriate. The Coalition will be hosted by the Nigeria Network of NGOs with a dedicated staff managing the implementation and coordination of activities related to achieving the objectives of the working group. Membership will be open to all civil society organisations interested in financing sustainable development and related issues.