International Development Law Organization

Implementing Partners and Grants

The success and sustainability of IDLO programmes and projects depend on the extent to which these programmes are tailored to meet local needs and take into account local conditions and requirements, while being anchored in the framework of international standards and best practices. IDLO increasingly engages and collaborates with local partner organizations and institutions to pool expertise and resources for the implementation of sub-projects and continues the adaptation of the IDLO process of sub-granting to better support and sustain the development of partnerships with its implementing partners.

IDLO delegates responsibility for the implementation of a component of a programme or project to an implementing partner through an award of financial assistance, formalizing such partnership through a sub-project agreement. IDLO refers to an implementing partner as a not-for-profit organization, agency or other legal entity.

IDLO’s strategic approach to working with its implementing partners involves clear, prioritized and mutually reinforcing efforts to enhance the quality of its interventions and realization of programmatic results. IDLO shall apply the following principles for building effective partnerships throughout the sub-project lifecycle:

  • Shared Vision and Goals by defining realistic outcomes and optimal approaches to implementation, and commit to respect them
  • Communication and Mutual Respect by having an open and professional relationship, communicating regularly and solving problems transparently and harmoniously
  • Transparency and Accountability by recognizing the importance of being held accountable for results and the responsible use of resources, and ensuring transparency to partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders
  • Commitment to Joint Learning by creating opportunities to learn from each other and collaborating on coaching and training from the earliest stage of their collaboration
  • Local Ownership by recognizing that the rule of law entails fundamental and politically sensitive choices about justice, human rights and principles and help define the relationship between the individual and the state and the distribution of power and resources in society
  • Sustainability by ensuring that the results and gains of sub-project implementation can be sustained and replicated over the long-term by seeking to achieve lasting impact at the local level.

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Current and prospective implementing partners interested in receiving financial assistance from IDLO for the implementation of a sub-project are expected to comply with IDLO’s standards, regulations, rules and policies for working with implementing partners. They shall work in close collaboration with IDLO in the design and implementation of a sub-project, taking on full ownership of the sub-project and responsibility for delivering the expected results. The IDLO Guidelines for Working with Implementing Partners (the “Guidelines”) provide practical guidance on the policies, processes, and procedures to follow when working with eligible entities throughout the phases of the sub-project lifecycle, from the selection of an implementing partner through to the completion of a sub-project. The Guidelines also outline the roles and responsibilities of IDLO implementing partners throughout the sub-granting process, in line with IDLO operating standards. The IDLO Guidelines are operationalized through the IDLO Toolkit for Working with Implementing Partners, which brings together practical, user-friendly tools and templates to reference and apply throughout the sub-granting process.


Phase 1:
Selection of
Implementing
Partner
Phase 2:
Planning
and
Budgeting
Phase 3:
Sub-Project
Agreement
 
Phase 4:
Sub-Project: Implementation
Monitoring
and Reporting
Phase 5:
Sub-Project
Completion
 
 
 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION

IDLO launches Call for Concept Notes targeting not-for-profit organizations around the world to solicit Sub-Project Concept Notes aimed at addressing country and project-specific priorities, in line with IDLO’s Strategic Plan.
 
Who can apply? Not-for-profit organizations
 
For more detailed information on specific eligibility criteria and conditions for applying, please refer to the specific Call for Concept Note.
 
Calls for Concept Notes Sub-Projects awarded since August 2020