IFR4NPO in Jamaica – Reflections of the Country Champion

Our Consultation was meaningful to the interests of NPOs represented but even more so because it is always very beneficial to have neighbouring islands and countries in the Caribbean joining us to exchange thoughts and share the challenges or concerns common to us. With eight (8) countries and representatives from three development agencies present, our total of thirty-three (33) attendees felt that this initiative was a timely one that would enhance efficiency, reduce the cost of financial reporting and allow NPOs to “walk the talk” of holding themselves to account in no less a way than they advocate for their respective governments to do. As a bonus, the richness of the engagement stirred one attendee to express the desire to lend her expertise to the Practitioner Advisory Group.

The non-profit organisations themselves were considered the most important stakeholders, along with the local offices of our primary grant making development agencies, in order to encourage engagement early in the development stage.

The primary challenges included the need to be assured that smaller, younger NPOs would not face a barrier arising from these regulations that could result in a disadvantageous imbalance. NPOs that serve as watchdog organisations for Government, found that providing financial transparency, already led to some harassment of their local donors and therefore though supportive of the principle, they harboured some concern for any potential negative publicity that additional transparency could attract.

That having a seat at the table, to give voice to concerns and lending expertise to aid success is the winning approach for the development of this Guidance. There was also a strong conviction that as both private and public sectors have international standards for financial reporting, it was time for the social sector to acknowledge the need for the same and work to rectify the status quo.

Having never organised an international digital event before I was not sure what to expect from the effort invested. It was gratifying to note the level of interest. It also stimulated ideas around other initiatives that JAMP could facilitate between the islands and our development partners. I also benefitted from observing the IFR4NPO’s Project Director approach to organising the event with a level of professionalism and efficiency that will serve as transferable ideas for future engagements with this project and those of our own.