Sustainability reporting is no longer just for companies.
This year, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the world’s biggest sustainable reporting initiative, is introducing specific guidelines for non-profit reporting.
2 public companies and 1 university already have reports listed in the GRI's most recent list.
In comparison, 2,149 non-business organisations are UN Global Compact participants, of which 142 are categorised as global NGOs and 747 as local NGOs.
Normal GRI guidelines will be broadened “to reflect the value-driven nature of NGO work by introducing reporting on programme effectiveness”, according to the recently posted GRI sector supplement.
NGOs directly engaged in promoting sustainable development, will also hold a level of accountability for sustainable development outcomes.
In the GRI’s own words, the need for specific non-profit guidelines is due to the following reasoning:
• “Organized civil society has begun to carry out some of the functions traditionally carried out by state”
• “Non-profits significantly influence public policy development on an international, national as well as on a local level”
• “Questions on transparency within these entities have been raised and the Non-Profit Sector Supplement project was initiated as a response, to further enhance sustainability reporting practice in the non-profit sector”
Results from the GRI’s final public comment period suggest that programme effectiveness will be an overarching issue, and will call on non-profits to report on:
• Affected Stakeholder involvement
• Feedback, complaints and action
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
• Gender and diversity
• Public Awareness and Advocacy
• Coordination
Non-profits can also expect values and governance will also be key issues.
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