Lessons learned from the Grand Bargain Caucus on quality finance and recommendations for the way forward – Global

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) led the Grand Bargain Caucus on Quality Funding from March to July 2022. Throughout September and October, the IRC reached out to individual Caucus members to give them opportunity to provide feedback on the process and the final outcome document was approved in July. The IRC consulted with all constituents: Office of Humanitarian Aid/USAID, Development Initiatives, ECHO, ICRC, ICVA, Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NEAR, NRC, OCHA, Overseas Development Institute, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration/US Department of State, SIDA, UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP. Below is a summary of the thoughts and lessons learned from this stocktaking exercise and some recommendations for the way forward.

Reflections and learnings

In terms of successes, caucus participants highlighted:

1. the added value of the initiative and the need for the Grand Bargain as a whole to extend the Caucus’ focused approach to other key reform issues, for example the funding gap between humanitarian needs and resources;

2. the balanced moderation of conversations and the multiple and diverse interests of stakeholders. Many appreciated the time given to them to listen to each other and understand the constraints of each donor;

3. the determination to hold stimulating discussions and to negotiate at the highest level, which was essential to obtain the unanimous approval of the final document by diverse and sometimes conflicting interests. In this regard, some noted how the multilateral structure helped generate enough peer pressure to mobilize individual Caucus members;

4. the ability to effectively leverage the technical expertise of Development Initiatives and the Overseas Development Institute in support of high-level negotiations;

5. recognition by some donors and UN stakeholders that the Caucus has helped advance internal reforms on multi-year funding;

6. stakeholders also appreciated the sustained interest and commitment of all caucus members from start to finish and at a very high level, attesting to the time and resources willingly put forward by all.