Technical Advisory Group
A multi-stakeholder Technical Advisory Group has been set up to provide technical advice and guidance to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). Members include key users and providers of aid data and statistics along with experts in using technology for aid effectiveness and the development of standards. The TAG is chaired by Brian Hammond, formerly with the OECD-DAC, and the secretariat sits with Development Initiatives Poverty Research (DIPR). The TAG reports directly to the IATI Steering Committee.
Progress
The first task for the TAG was to develop proposals for IATI on for what will be published with support from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the proposal for the code of conduct with support from the EC and Civicus. The TAG met on 2/3 September in London to discuss these proposals and to review other technical work being carried out.
During October and November, detailed discussion and negotiation will take place on these proposals between all IATI members. On 30th November 2009 the IATI Steering Committee will meet in Paris to finalise parts 1 and 4 of the IATI standards.
Work on agreeing detailed definitions and formats will scale up during late 2009 and early 2010 as well as work on accessibility and capacity building.
Technical analysis and research
The TAG proposals will be informed by research and technical analysis. Development Initiatives Poverty Research (DIPR) initially prepared a draft Scoping Study identifying the potential areas for inclusion in the IATI standards.
Further research is ongoing. Donor fact-finding missions are in progress to investigate the potential impact and feasibility of the IATI standards for selected donors. A donor cost-benefit analysis is underway to understand the potential costs and benefits of adopting IATI for donors. Pilot data exchange will also be undertaken in two partner countries.