After some internal discussion, the Board of Directors decided to improve the parity and diversity of its governance model. The aim is to achieve a more balanced representation within the Board, with a maximum of 4 seats allocated to donors, 4 seats for international NGOs (INGOs) and 4 seats for national NGOs.
The next rotation of some Board members is scheduled for September 2024.
The revised governance document is available here.
Launch of operational research postponed
Following consultations with the Fund's stakeholders, the Sahel Regional Fund has taken the decision to postpone the call for proposals for operational research. This measure aims to re-examine research themes to target those most likely to have a significant impact on humanitarian practices.
A further announcement on the launch of the operational research funding window will be made in the coming months, so stay tuned!
SRF visit to Mali
From 21 to 27 January 2024, the Dewral and RALLIER projects hosted the second supervision mission of SRF's funds management team in Mali. This mission is part of SRF's ongoing commitment to monitor the quality of its partners' operations on a quarterly basis.
The consortia shared details on project progress and challenges encountered in Mali. A field visit enabled the SRF team to interact with key project stakeholders, including local authorities, beneficiaries and decentralised technical services.
The feedback phase provided valuable information to both project teams, with a view to improving the implementation of the project, particularly in terms of coordinating partners and optimising the budget. Despite the rapidly changing context, the mission confirmed the relevance and coherence of the actions undertaken as part of the project. It also highlighted the effective collaboration between the Dewral and RALLIER consortiums, as well as the local and regional authorities. This participatory and inclusive approach is a key element in the implementation of the project.
A few figures on project progress
Less than a year after launching its activities, the SRF has already provided aid to almost 600,000 beneficiaries in its four intervention countries: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad. These figures are particularly encouraging given the challenges facing the Sahel region this year.
With a funding strategy that prioritises hard-to-reach areas, and despite an unstable regional context, the projects funded by the SRF have a direct impact on local communities. Whether in the fields of protection, health, nutrition, food security or resilience, the SRF strives to meet the essential needs of the people of the Sahel.
More information on our projects and future progress will be shared when the Sahel Regional Fund's annual review is published but, meanwhile, don't hesitate to check out our projects page.
Update on the Sudanese crisis and the results of the SRF
The Sudanese clashes that erupted on April 15, 2023, triggered a substantial refugee influx into neighbouring countries, notably Chad. In response to the crisis in eastern Chad, the SRF Board, backed by an additional GBP 1 million from FCDO, expanded its coverage accordingly.
Given the urgency, the Fund Management Unit (FMU) advised the SRF Board against a call for proposals, opting instead to supplement operational partners in the region. IRC, the sole SRF partner in Chad, with emergency capabilities and planning, received a top-up to collaborate with Concern Worldwide.
This swift action allowed SRF partners to be at the forefront, providing assistance to thousands refugees entering Sila and Ouaddaï provinces. Over the four-month intervention, 53,563 people received primary healthcare, nutrition, WASH, shelter, and NFI aid. Two months after the allocation, the FMU conducted a field visit in Chad, assessing emergency activities implemented by IRC and Concern, gathering local stakeholder perspectives, consulting with OCHA, UNHCR, national authorities, and fostering collaboration for future funding allocation priorities. During its visit, the SRF was congratulated by the local and national authorities for the rapid allocation of emergency funds and the selection of partners who responded immediately to the most urgent humanitarian needs.
Call for operational research proposals
We are excited to announce that the SRF is gearing up for its 2024 call for proposals. As we embark on this new quarter, we are thrilled to confirm the launch of our call for operational research proposals.
Our Theory of Change (TOC) identifies strategic investments in operational research and coordination as a key pillar. We believe that these investments will not only contribute to a more principled and effective response but also inform a regional advocacy agenda for NGOs.
We are setting aside a significant fund of £750,000 specifically for operational research in the Sahel region. This is a unique opportunity for public entities (e.g universities), as well as private organizations or firms, whether for-profit or non-profit.
If your organization can deliver a high-quality operational research output that has the potential to catalyze a significant improvement in the quality of humanitarian response, stay tuned for our next announcement in February. We are eager to collaborate with you in making a difference in the Sahel region!
Testimonials from our partners
From 16 to 20 October 2023, the Dewral project and RALLIER project hosted the first supervision mission of the SRF's FMU (Fund Management Unit) team in Burkina Faso. This mission is part of the SRF ongoing commitment to monitor the quality of its partners’ operations on a quarterly basis.
The mission unfolded in three stages: a collaborative meeting with the teams from the Dewral and RALLIER consortia, a field visit, and a presentation of the mission’s key points. The consortia shared insights into the project’s implementation status and the challenges encountered in Burkina Faso. They also facilitated a field visit, allowing the SRF team to engage with key project stakeholders, including local authorities, beneficiaries, and technical partners. The feedback phase was meaningful in providing both project teams with valuable insights to enhance project implementation, particularly in terms of stakeholder coordination and budget utilization.
Despite the rapidly evolving context, the mission affirmed the coherence and relevance of the project’s actions. It also highlighted the effective collaboration between the Dewral and RALLIER consortia and local and regional authorities, underscoring the participatory and inclusive nature of the project implementation.
From March to December 2023, Dewral's multisectoral and integrated interventions in the 3 intervention countries (Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali) reached 2,268 displaced households and vulnerable hosts, i.e. 1,667 people, with multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) activities. Furthermore, all supported communities benefited from awareness sessions on cohesion and coexistence, leading to over 80% of communities reporting improved social cohesion.
ICVA Launch and Roundtable Discussion of the Pooled Funding at a Crossroads Report
In 28 June, ICVA co-hosted with Switzerland and HERE-Geneva the launch event for the “Pooled Funding at a Crossroads: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis” report. Following opening remarks by Switzerland and ICVA, an overview of the key findings of the research was presented by its authors, Marzia Montemurro and Elise Queguiner, before OCHA CBPF Section, A4EP and Sahel Regional Fund Manager to provided key remarks on the report. A discussion was held with participants to the event, around humanitarian pooled fund mechanisms and avenues to explore to enhance the efficiency, impact and access to pooled funds to the benefit of people affected by crisis. Check the recording and presentations.
