What is a National Forum Group (NFG)?

National Forum Groups or NFGs are national networks that subscribe to the vision and mission of the IFRTD . NFGs vary in their organisation and interests and members of NFGs are drawn from a wide range of organisations and disciplines. They can include representatives of government agencies, multilateral or bilateral projects, universities and local and international NGOs.

NFGs are autonomous networks. Through their affiliation to IFRTD they are stakeholders in IFRTD’s governance and have a responsibility to address IFRTD’s strategic issues and help the Forum to achieve its mission. The criteria listed below form the basis for their affiliation to IFRTD. Wherever possible IFRTD will support an emerging NFG to achieve these aims.

Criteria:

1. Aims and objectives should be consistent with IFRTD

2. Transparency
   - The NFG should have instruments for transparency eg. constitution, articles of association, rules and by-laws.
   - Meeting minutes should be circulated.

3. Democratic structure
   - should have a governance structure elected by members.
   - at least one general assembly per year
   - work plans and financial reports to be presented to the general assembly.

4. Membership
   - must be broad, inclusive and open.
   - a membership list should be shared with the IFRTD devolved Secretariat
   - minimum of 10 individuals and/or 5 institutional members

5. Legal Status
   - discretionary, however an NFG should have a constitution and procedures.

6. Participation
   - Manifest in delegated tasks described in work plans

7. Sharing of information through networking

8. Conflict
   - clear conflict resolution mechanism embodied in the constitution.
   - mechanism for external mediation -conciliation in place.

9. Funding
   - Statement of funds presented to devolved Secretariat
   - NFG members receiving funds for projects that involve network members should report on the accounts.

African NFGs

Asia & Pacific NFGs

Latin American NFGs