To partner with FAO, a Civil Society Organization should share the following principles:

• Congruence with FAO's mandate. Partnership activities must be consistent with FAO's mandate and enhance the effectiveness of its work. FAO will not enter into partnership with organizations whose programmes are contrary to the Organization's mandate.
• Mutual interests and objectives. Partnership activities will focus on areas and on subjects of mutual interest to FAO and CSOs.
• Transparency. Partnership activities will be transparent and information on them will be made publicly available.
• Accountability. Partnership activities will be designed and implemented in a manner that ensures clear and agreed responsibilities and accountability by all partners.

Formal Status

Over 200 International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs) have formal status with FAO. Through an official process of application and approval, this gives them mandated participation in FAO Governing Bodies and Technical Committees as observers. Their presence is important to ensure the overall governance of FAO in terms of transparency, and for building relations between FAO member countries and Civil Society. For more information on what 'formal status' means, click here.

Other relations

Formal status is not a prerequisite for partnership with FAO. In the field, FAO works with CSOs, particularly farmers, fishers and herders groups, to ensure that its projects and programmes have a real impact on local communities. CSOs also collaborate with FAO in normative activities, sharing information and raising awareness at national, regional and global levels. Finally, civil society attendance of FAO Committees, Commissions, Technical Meetings and Regional Conferences does not depend on application for or granting of formal status. For example, the Committee for World Food Security (CFS) mobilizes wide interest and participation of CSOs without formal status.

Would you like to become a partner?

CSOs interested in developing partnerships with FAO can directly contact the decentralized offices at the country, sub-regional or regional levels, relevant technical divisions, and CSO Office in Rome, which are listed on the Contacts page.