Our Charter
How we will achieve our Vision:- gorta is an independent, international development NGO and the Irish partner of the FAO. We are a not-for-profit organisation working to the highest professional, business and ethical standards. Our intention is to contribute powerfully to the eradication of the causes of hunger and extreme thirst in the world. We are not an emergency relief organisation.
- Our approach to long term development is holistic, multi-disciplinary and creative. We encourage integrated solutions recognising the inter-dependent relationship that exists between food and water security, health, education and social enterprise.
Overseas Development
- We support both small projects and large programmes, whichever is most appropriate to the challenge faced. We seek to leverage small projects into larger programmes to maximize the extent of their positive impacts. We are respectful of the culture, needs and wishes of the communities we work with and proactively seek out their views.
- We are committed to the principle of empowering communities and helping them help themselves, rather than simply providing funds. Put into practice this means communities making a contribution of some kind themselves. It may be in terms of labour, equipment, money, passing on help and advice to other projects, or other ‘in kind’ contributions. Only in the most exceptional cases will gorta fund 100% of a project or programme.
- Where appropriate gorta will work with local communities to set up businesses to help meet the needs of the programme.
- Our primary targets are the poorest, most disadvantaged communities in Sub Saharan Africa. Our proposed priority partner countries are Kenya, along with Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. gorta will have full time, professional development workers, appropriately resourced, on the ground, in each of our targeted primary target countries. We will identify local partners and provide training and support to help them develop.
- We will also support other potential partners in other countries on an exceptional basis. In response to a request from other Irish or UK connections, other NGO’s, or where there is an opportunity to learn from or develop best practice that can be transferred elsewhere.
- We will proactively support specialist academic institutions in priority countries focusing on agriculture, horticulture, hydrology and agro forestry to produce graduates equipped to tackle the challenges their communities face.
- We have a role in education and advocacy on behalf of communities needing long-term development. Whilst we are ‘apolitical’ we will be their voice.
Donor Partnerships
- We act responsibly in regard to our donors’ funds. We keep our costs to the minimum consistent with our need to be effective, ensuring the maximum amount can be used where it matters most. We are committed to being in communication with our donors, keeping them informed as to how their contribution is being used effectively.
- Wherever practical, and consistent with the responsible use of our donors’ resources, gorta will work with local community resources, skills and knowledge.
- We see ourselves as facilitators, providing opportunities for communities, businesses, workplace groups and individuals to make a contribution to the fight against hunger and drought in Sub Saharan Africa.
- We recognise that we can’t achieve our vision on our own. It can only be achieved through developing and working in long term partnership with local and national government, local communities, other ‘expert’ organisations, businesses and individuals etc who have complimentary skills to our own. Meaningful partnership is central to our approach.
- We are expert at efficient fundraising. We raise funds through a wide range of sources and will never become overly dependent upon just one source. We look to new technology as a way of cost efficient communication with our donors.
- Our network of Volunteers across our retail and community fundraising infrastructure has been a source of great strength and resilience over the years. We are committed to maintaining and growing a strong, healthy community organisation including County Infrastructure and the gorta Council. We believe this keeps us connected to an important and influential constituency
Ethical Behaviour
- We are an open organisation, a learning organisation, developing and sharing ‘best practice’ with our peers and partners. gorta believes in the importance of education and training.
- gorta will ensure that all our decisions, actions, and stakeholder interactions conform to the organisation’s moral and professional principles. These principles are the foundation for the organisation’s culture and values. They define right from wrong. The principles apply to all individuals involved in the organisation, from employees to members of the board of directors and council, and are communicated and reinforced on a regular basis. They ensure gorta’s mission and vision are aligned with its ethical principles empowering people to make effective decisions with confidence.
