Can we boost efficiency through working in consortia ?

Getting accountability and partnership issues right

Getting accountability and partnership issues right

DefinitionsCurrent situationLegal and Financial ImplicationsSome rulesNext steps

Definitions

ECHO funded Actions are implemented by :

One ECHO PartnerNGOUN AgenciesInternational OrganisationsMS specialised Agencies

Several PartnersBy the mean of a « coordinated approach » also called « Alliance »Organised in « Consortium »

Definitions

Consortium :Association of Partners that work together toward achieving joint and coordinated objective The members of the consortium are bound by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties The term « consortium » is not used for action for which the lead is a UN agency as the management mode is differentThe term « consortium » is not used for Implementing Partners assisting the ECHO Partner in the implementation of an action in the field

Coordinated approachThe term alliance or coordinated approach is used in cases where a group of partners coordinates their proposals (identical logframes) but submit separate proposals

Current situation (from October 2010 to July 2011)

39 actions out of 1.000/yearA budget of 67 M€ out of approx. 1 billion €5 actions presented in consortium at the initiative of the partners themselvesThe other suggested by DG ECHO or mentioned in the HIP or in the operational recommendations The « Coordinated approach » was applied in a few cases only

Current situation :FPA

The notion of consortium is not foreseen in the current FPAThe IT systems are not configured to manage the specificities of the consortium

Legal and Financial Issues

To limit the risks for Echo and the Lead PartnerSharing the financial liability of all partners involved (MoU)Co-responsibilityA and P control mechanism less adapted to consortia

ReportingAuditsCoordination and ManagementConsortia partners &

Implementing partners...

Some rules

« Needs based » and « Result driven »The objective is the effectiveness of the responseThe use of « coordinated approach/ Consortium » must show a clear added valueConsortium should never be forcedTransparency : coordinated approach and Consortia must be announced in the HIP

Next steps

Use the flexibility offered in the current FPAAdapt the IT applications to address the major legal and financial impactsNew provisions to prepare and discuss together with the partners for the next FPA

ReportingMoUAuditOverlap of contractsCo-financingCommunication linesVisibility of the members

of the consortium……