We check six things before we consider funding any project:

1. Are they registered and accountable?
We make sure they’re legally recognised, have a clear structure, and aren't involved in anything harmful or dishonest.

2. Can they manage money responsibly?
We look at how they handle funds, whether they’re transparent, and if they have safeguards against fraud or corruption.

3. Do they involve the community in the work?
We ask whether the people affected by the project were involved in shaping it and if it meets real, local needs.

4. Can people raise concerns safely?
We check if there are ways for community members to give feedback or make complaints and that they’ll be heard.

5. Are they upholding human rights and fair working conditions?
This includes no child labour, decent pay, and equal treatment for everyone involved.

6. Are they thinking about the environment?
We look at whether their work harms or helps the environment, and whether they’re thinking long-term.

We use a review process based on global best practice, but adapted for how we work. We:

• Review key documents
  

• Ask for evidence
  

• Speak to past partners
  

• Sometimes visit the site (or ask someone local to)
  

• Score projects based on clear criteria
  

• Consider risks and how we’d manage them
  

Some organisations are experienced and score highly. Others are smaller but show great promise — we might start with a small grant and give them support along the way.

Once funded, we keep checking in

Due diligence doesn’t stop when the vote ends. If a project is funded, we stay involved…

• We get regular updates
  
  

• We ask for reports and evidence
  
  

• We listen to community feedback
  
  

• We do spot checks and site visits when we can
  
  

• We act fast if anything goes wrong