Child Participation, Influence and Accountability: Landscape review

It has been two years since the Grand Bargain’s call for more participation on the behalf of people affected by crises in decision-making affecting them, this review aims to evaluate what progress has been made in reaching this standard. It finds that Save the Children has somewhat improved in the inclusion of populations in their planning response. However, there is still a great need to include the communities in meaningful decision-making.

This report includes the findings of a review of the external landscape related to child participation and accountability to affected people in humanitarian contexts, an analysis of implications for Save the Children and assessment of whether Save the Children’s approach is fit-for-purpose to meet its ambitions and commitments. The review includes recommendations for improvements to Save the Children’s approach to child participation and accountability to affected people. This review considers external changes since the last in-depth review of child participation in humanitarian programmes in 2013, including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and the Participation Revolution Workstream of the Grand Bargain. It also draws on an extensive literature review of relevant Save the Children guidance, evaluations and reports, as well as similar documents from peer organisations, UN agencies and think tanks, including Grand Bargain annual reports and CHS audit reports. In addition, interviews were conducted with Save the Children staff in member headquarters, regional offices and country offices and representatives of six other organisations.