When crisis hits - whether it is because of a pandemic or a war - some institutions react with speed and innovation. Others are less prepared to do so and adopt measures that can unintentionally hinder legitimate civil society activities and relief efforts.
So what can the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the European Union, governments, financial institutions, donors and CSOs do to prepare before a crisis emerges? And what actions should they take when it is happening?
The Tbilisi Principles is the first-ever set of recommendations to all these key actors to guide them to balance the need to meet urgent humanitarian needs with maintaining financial integrity.
ECNL, the EU AML/CFT Global Facility, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information in Georgia and the Global NPO Coalition on FATF co-hosted a conference on the “Consequences of the Ukraine Invasion on the AML/CFT regime for nonprofit organisations in the Eastern Partnership” in Tbilisi, Georgia in June 2022. The Tbilisi Principles is the outcome document of this event, CSOs from across the Eastern Partnership region took part in drafting its recommendations.
The Tbilisi Principles underline CSOs as an invaluable and irreplaceable source of support during crises. However, CSOs’ relief efforts can be slowed down or hindered by well-intentioned and otherwise well-drafted laws that aim to ensure the integrity of the financial system and are designed to deal with a different risk in different circumstances. Therefore, the Principles include recommendations for public, private and civil society sectors to be prepared to temporarily increase their tolerance of risks in order to facilitate vital humanitarian action.
CSOs and other partners can use this document to take these issues forward in their local contexts, advocate for and participate in crisis responses that respect the integrity of financial measures but also allow for flexible civil society work.
Download the final draft of the Tbilisi Principles below: