Code of conduct

Introduction

Solidagro is an ngo for development cooperation that has formulated the following assignment for itself (mission). Some of the basic values of Solidagro can be found there:

Solidagro strives for the right to food for all and supports the right of peoples and states to autonomously determine their own food and agricultural policies.

We regard the basic movements and farmers' organizations in the South as the driving-force of change in society. We support this movement through capacity building and facilitating exchange, cooperation and influencing policy. Our actions are aimed at increasing food production and enhancing its sustainability with a view to economic self-dependancing.

In Flanders (Belgium), we aim to call attention of young people and adults to the food security issue and at the same time point to the global coherence of the food and agricultural problems in the North and the South. Solidagro invites to active material and political solidarity.

Solidagro works in a spirit of solidarity and equality. We opt for cooperation based on mutual respect, exchange and dialogue.

Solidagro considers the following values as the basis for the integrity of its organization and as a guideline for the actions of its individual employees:

• Solidarity worldwide
• Sustainability (environmental awareness)
• Efficient use of resources
• Proper use of resources in relation the objective
• Avoid conflict of interests, objectivity
• Respect from person to person (including discreet handling of information)
• Transparency
• Equivalent partnership
• Respect autonomous partners
• Safety between people, safety of employees and partners,
• Justice
• Sustainability relationship partners
• Consciously dealing with power relations (including avoiding personal benefit)
• Equity, fairness, reasonableness
• Non-discrimination: Solidagro works without any distinction of any kind, such as nation, skin colour, gender, language, religion, political or other belief, national or social origin, property, birth or other status[1]

These values form the basis of the code of conduct that follows below. The guiding principle of the code of conduct is: ‘apply or explain’. This means that:

• Solidagro staff knows the code of conduct and applies it.
• Volunteers are adequately informed so that they can commit themselves on the basis of Solidagro's code of conduct (in function of and in proportion to the tasks for which they are committed or the responsibilities they assume).
• Cooperation agreements with partners describe the necessary elements of the code of conduct so that Solidagro partners can apply them.

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Code of conduct

1. Realizing Solidagro's mission

Solidagro[2] adheres to human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is one of the reasons why Solidagro pays special attention to the vulnerable and the disadvantaged in the regions where it is active.

Solidagro puts the long-term goals and rights of the target groups first in the preparation and implementation of programs. Solidagro works from a rights approach[3]. Solidagro wants to encourage active solidarity worldwide.

Solidagro supports the agro-ecological agricultural and food system and sees it as the way to realize the right to food worldwide in a sustainable way. We see the industrial agricultural model, as a dominant system worldwide, as unsustainable.

Solidagro takes stock of the possible negative impact of its interventions in terms of gender, children's rights and the environment and takes measures to prevent this negative impact.

Target groups are involved in all steps from the identification up to and including the accountability of the programs.

2. Partnerships

The partners of Solidagro are co-owners of the programs and the joint objectives form the guideline for the design of the programs.

Partner relationships are equal and based on mutual respect, trust, autonomy of the organization and joint objectives.

Solidagro wishes to develop long-term partner relationships with evolving added value.

Solidagro strives to collaborate with other actors to increase the impact of its programs and / or increase the effectiveness and efficiency of actions.

In case a Solidagro partner for "right to food" programs is also funded by other donors, Solidagro will invite the other donors to develop synergy programs at the level of the south partner. As a result, knowledge in the field of monitoring & evaluation can, for example, benefit all parties to the maximum.

3. Professional organization and professional approach to the programs

Solidagro uses the available resources as effectively and efficiently as possible, and uses them correctly with regard to the mission of the organization and with regard to the objective of a specific program.

Solidagro works on the quality of and on the processes within the organization and draws up an annual action plan for this. This is reported annually to the Board of Directors.

Solidagro monitors and evaluates the results of the programs based on indicators. External evaluators are used for evaluations.[4]

Solidagro wants to be a learning organization and encourages learning at all levels of the organization: in all structures of the organization, both individually and collectively. Solidagro shares its knowledge within the sector.

Solidagro applies strict financial procedures and publishes its financial account annually via the National Bank of Belgium and reports on financial / administrative items via www.ngo-openboek.be (the platform of Belgian recognized development cooperation NGOs). Solidagro's accounts are audited annually by a company auditor (auditor).

Solidagro draws up an extensive and comprehensively formulated annual report (content and financial) and disseminates it through its communication channels.

Solidagro is willing to enter into dialogue with relevant social and political actors about its own performance.

4. Good employment practices

Solidagro uses clear guidelines with regard to the health, safety and well-being of all employees, volunteers and other parties for which there is a responsibility.

Solidagro strives for equal opportunities for staff. Solidagro acts on the basis of the principle of non-discrimination and strives for diversity in the composition of its workforce and in the filling of managerial positions.

Solidagro complies with all relevant local legislation for employers in its intervention countries (including social legislation, health, pensions and taxes).

5. Good governance

Solidagro pursues an active policy in the area of preventing and combating fraud and corruption. A risk analysis[5] is used for partners, on the basis of which decisions are made about the manner (frequency, audits, etc.) of financial monitoring by Solidagro.

The members of Solidagro's board work on a voluntary basis. Staff members are not permitted as board members.

In the event that a conflict of interests occurs with regard to a board member or staff member, the member in question must report this to the chairman or the responsible person to whom he / she reports and must then refrain from deliberating and taking decisions on the matter.

6. Communication and fundraising

Solidagro is a member of the Association of Ethics in Fundraising (www.vef-aerf.be) and complies with the Ethical Code and the Rules of Procedure of this association.

Solidagro applies an internal policy to respect the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Solidagro provides complete, correct and accessible information about the purpose of fundraising.

Solidagro justifies costs for activities for which fundraising is the main objective in a transparent manner such as fundraising costs.

Solidagro uses the following principles for images and messages: (1) respect for the human dignity of the people involved (2) the equality of all people (3) acceptance of the need to promote solidarity and justice.

For external publications of Solidagro, facts, opinions and / or images are based on own observation or on sources that are known to Solidagro and are considered reliable. The right to be heard is applied where this is necessary for acquiring the facts and to prevent one-sidedness in reporting. In serious cases, such as those where the safety of the persons or partner organizations involved is at stake, this may be deviated from.