Transparency
INKOTA demands transparency and openness from politics and the economy. This should also apply to us, as we hold ourselves to the same high standards. Therefore, INKOTA participates in the "Transparent Civil Society Initiative," which Transparency Germany has launched. In addition, we have committed ourselves to other publicly recognized codes that contain even stricter or more concrete criteria - such as the VENRO Code of Conduct "Transparency, Organizational Management and Control" and the VENRO Code of Conduct "Development-Related Public Relations".
How is the work of the INKOTA network controlled?
We have developed an internal and external control system to ensure that donations and other contributions are used properly and to check the impact of our work. The internal part of this system consists of an internal auditing commission, which monitors the association's bookkeeping yearly, to verify that funds are used economically and in accordance with our statutes. The commission also ensures that the requirements of the general assembly are implemented.
External control is established by an independent auditor analyzing the annual financial statement regarding proper bookkeeping and accounting. Additionally, all larger projects abroad are examined by an external auditor. This also applies to all cooperation projects funded by the European Commission. For select projects, we also have the achieved results and impacts evaluated by external experts, independent audit of fundraising, and use of funds.
INKOTA demands transparency and openness from politics and the economy. This should also apply to us, as we hold ourselves to the same high standards. Therefore, INKOTA participates in the "Transparent Civil Society Initiative," which Transparency Germany has launched. In addition, we have committed ourselves to other publicly recognized codes that contain even stricter or more concrete criteria - such as the VENRO Code of Conduct "Transparency, Organizational Management and Control" and the VENRO Code of Conduct "Development-Related Public Relations".
How is the work of the INKOTA network controlled?
We have developed an internal and external control system to ensure that donations and other contributions are used properly and to check the impact of our work. The internal part of this system consists of an internal auditing commission, which monitors the association's bookkeeping yearly, to verify that funds are used economically and in accordance with our statutes. The commission also ensures that the requirements of the general assembly are implemented.
External control is established by an independent auditor analyzing the annual financial statement regarding proper bookkeeping and accounting. Additionally, all larger projects abroad are examined by an external auditor. This also applies to all cooperation projects funded by the European Commission. For select projects, we also have the achieved results and impacts evaluated by external experts, independent audit of fundraising, and use of funds.
The independent verification of fundraising and fund use
As one of about 230 of the approximately 20,000 fundraising organizations in Germany, INKOTA annually receives the seal of donation of the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) (Link is in German). It is considered the most renowned German seal of approval for donations. The DZI inspects whether we comply with the donation seal guidelines once a year. The DZI's test criteria include:
- truthful, unambiguous and factual advertising;
- the verifiable, economical and statutory use of funds;
- compliance with the relevant tax regulations, as well as clear and comprehensible accounting.
INKOTA has always met the requirements in the past years and has accordingly been awarded the DZI donation seal.
The independent verification of fundraising and fund use
As one of about 230 of the approximately 20,000 fundraising organizations in Germany, INKOTA annually receives the seal of donation of the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) (Link is in German). It is considered the most renowned German seal of approval for donations. The DZI inspects whether we comply with the donation seal guidelines once a year. The DZI's test criteria include:
- truthful, unambiguous and factual advertising;
- the verifiable, economical and statutory use of funds;
- compliance with the relevant tax regulations, as well as clear and comprehensible accounting.
INKOTA has always met the requirements in the past years and has accordingly been awarded the DZI donation seal.