INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation 2016-18 (IDI)

Goals and objectives: The INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation Program Document: 2016-18 outlines the Cooperation’s plans for the next three years. The Cooperation seeks to optimize the joint efforts of the INTOSAI and Donor partners in enhancing the capacity of SAIs in developing countries. The Cooperation recognizes and supports Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels. This main objective will be carried out through Enhanced and coordinated support to SAIs in developing countries; and Effective capacity development initiatives for strengthened SAI performance. Expected program results are: Enhanced financial support for capacity development of SAIs in developing countries; Enhanced quality of knowledge on SAI development initiatives and performance; Enhanced tools and capacity development approaches; Increased awareness of the Cooperation and the needs of SAIs in developing countries; and Strengthened donor and INTOSAI coordination and collaboration on SAI capacity development. To support these expected results, the Cooperation will work toward six specific outputs, each made up of a number of related activities:  Preparation and implementation of updated strategies.  Increased funding for SAI capacity development.  Research, guidance and training on donor aid practices and dissemination.  Outreach and linkages to all high-priority stakeholders.  Upgrade of the SAI Capacity Development Database and support for the Global Survey.  Support for finalizing the SAI PMF, and a strategy for continued implementation and maintenance.  The budget for 2016-2018 amounts to around 18 million NOK in total over the three years. This equates to an estimated 1.9 million euros or $2.1 million.  Funding is expected from Austria, Ireland, Norway and Switzerland, in addition to in-kind contributions from SAI Brazil, SAI Norway and others.  The current financing gap for the Cooperation is around 2.9 million NOK in total over the three years. This equates to an estimated 300,000 euros or $325,000. What is the INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation? The INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation (Cooperation) is a strategic global partnership in the domain of public financial management aimed at enhancing the capacity of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in developing countries. The Cooperation was formed in 2009 by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Donor Community and the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). INTOSAI is an autonomous, independent, professional and nonpolitical organization consisting of 192 member SAIs. The Cooperation recognizes the important role of SAIs in strengthening accountability, transparency, good governance and the stewardship of public funds. As of 2016, twenty-three donors have joined the Cooperation. What has the Cooperation accomplished? Impact and accomplishments The Cooperation has accomplished the following:  Global Stocktaking identifying need for support, with 72 percent or respondents, or 129 SAIs indicating capacity development needs as medium to high.  Focus on professional standards implementation, including creating 199 certified trainers.  Strategic plan development across specific INTOSAI regions for individual SAIs, increasing those with strategic plans from 73 to 92 percent.  Global programs to identify SAI specific funding needs to match with providers of support.  Capacity development database to record and track projects.  Knowledge sharing and support through capacity building guides and other training initiatives.  SAI Performance Management Framework (SAI PMF) — a comprehensive assessment tool for measuring, monitoring and managing SAIs’ performance.  SAI Capacity Development Fund, an alternate funding mechanism, was established through a Trust Fund Administrative agreement between the World Bank and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).  Global Survey reporting audit coverage for financial, compliance and performance audits increased since initial 2010 Global Stocktaking.  External independent evaluation commissioned and completed, finding evidence of positive behavior change towards more effective support by both donors and SAIs, with recommendations towards effectively achieving the Cooperation’s goals.  Funding to the INTOSAI-Donor Secretariat has been provided by Austria, Australia, Ireland, France, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and in-kind contributions were provided by SAI Brazil and SAI Norway, amongst others. For more information see here: http://www.idi.no/en/intosai-donor-cooperation