Integrity

SEAH

There is zero tolerance for inaction against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) in the Digni chain. It is important for us to have a victim-centered approach and we will take all reasonable steps to prevent, detect and respond to SEAH within and related to our member/partner organisations and projects. If a suspicion or complaint of SEAH is reported to us, we will immediately notify Norad’s Internal Audit and follow up on the handling and follow up of the case.

We have, in close cooperation with partners and members, developed a “Toolbox on prevention and handling of sexual misconduct”. This tool is easily available on Fabo and contains both theory, case studies and guides for prevention, detection and handling of SEAH.

Financial integrity

Digni works from the bottom-up to empower civil society organisations to fight against corruption in their local contexts and towards their local or national governments. Our anti-corruption work includes fighting corruption as well as working for strengthened financial integrity at all levels in the Digni chain.

Digni prevents and fights corruption by emphasizing financial integrity through updated tools and resources for our member organisations and their partners.

What our work entails:

Preventing

A successful anti-corruption work needs to focus on people and systems. In other words, one has to work to build attitudes, consciousness and knowledge amongst employees at all levels, while simultaneously making sure to establish transparent systems and routines that minimizes the risk and possibility of corruption.

Digni puts in a significant effort to prevent corruption by, amongst other things, doing the following:

• Work actively on attitudes to corruption amongst member organisations and their partner organisations.
• Develop and implement good routines for assessments, reporting and spot checks for a proper financial management within the projects.
• Actively contribute to the Norwegian civil society organisation’s network on anti-corruption.
• Raise the expertise amongst Digni’s employees, member organisations and their partners in terms of prevention, detecting, and handling cases of corruption through different courses and training, such as:
  • Financial integrity: We expect all employees in Digni, its member and partner organisations handling Digni funds, and it projects, to take the financial integrity course to increase knowledge and understanding of corruption in general, and specifically how to manage Digni’s anti-corruption principles.
  • Grassroot training on anti-corruption: Digni and its member Wycliffe Norway have developed a free, grassroot based training material on anti-corruption, especially aimed at group lessons. The course was revised in 2023. All material is available on Digni’s online learning hub. It can be easily facilitated as detailed instructions are given and adapted if needed.  An older version of the is available in Spanish, French, and Urdu here.

Contact us for more information regarding courses.

Detecting

Having a zero-tolerance against corruption and financial irregularities entails that Digni works strategically to detect irregularities. This is done through analysing financial reports and audits, partner and project evaluations, whistleblowing, spot checks and partner/project visits.

Handling

Suspicion

When there is suspicion of corruption or financial irregularities, Digni will have try to clarify facts of the matter, whether the suspicion is substantial, if funds should be frozen, and to ensure all relevant documentation and values within the project.

Examination

If a suspicion of financial irregularities is substantial, Digni will notify Norad’s Internal Audit whom will consider whether there is foundation to raise a case. If there is, a case will be opened and Digni will gather all information and documentation needed. Examinations such as internal or external desktop reviews, special audits, or external audits will be carried out to examine the concerns. When background information is gathered and taken into account, Digni will suggest a solution which will finally be concluded by Norad.

Reaction closure

Once Norad’s Internal Audit has concluded, they will present a reaction in form of demands for repayment of mismanaged funds, claims for dismissal, filing of a police report, or other reactions. Digni will closely follow this up. If certain conditions are fulfilled, mismanaged funds can be repaid to the project. To clear a project, the member organisation must document that new routines within the project hare in place, and that they have undertaken necessary measures according to Norad’s reaction.

Closed cases

Yearly Digni publishes a list of closed cases of financial irregularities. The numbers are gathered from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s quarterly reports on financial irregularities.