ABOUT WFWO

Core Team Structures and Processes

The World Foundation for World Opportunities (WFWO) develops country-level advocacy and partnership networks in different countries around the world to support the implementation of its mission, programmes, and development objectives.

These networks may include the Resource Mobilization Team, Goodwill Ambassadors for Development (ADN), Friends of WFWO Networks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), development partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

The country-level partnership structure is intended to bring together key stakeholders who can play catalytic roles in promoting, supporting, and implementing WFWO activities and programmes in accordance with WFWO’s Terms and Conditions, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

1. WFWO Country Representatives Network (WFWCRN)

The WFWO Country Representatives Network (WFWCRN) is the country-level advocacy and representation structure of WFWO.

The WFWCRN does not independently manage WFWO’s administration, financial resources, or grant disbursements. Its principal function is to represent and promote WFWO’s mission and activities at country level.

The responsibilities of the WFWCRN include:

• Promoting public awareness of WFWO, its activities, programmes, and development objectives.
• Supporting advocacy relating to poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the relevant WFWO development priorities.
• Identifying development needs and opportunities within the respective country.
• Engaging government institutions, NGOs, CBOs, civil society, communities, development partners, academic institutions, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
• Identifying and supporting programmes that may be suitable for submission to WFWO.
• Facilitating the preparation and submission of programme concepts and proposals in accordance with WFWO procedures.
• Supporting communication and coordination between WFWO and relevant country-level stakeholders.

The WFWCRN should preferably be an existing and credible organization, network, institution, or qualified individual. Where appropriate and necessary, a country may establish a new entity to serve as the WFWCRN partner, subject to WFWO’s applicable approval, eligibility, and compliance requirements.

2. WFWO Executive Secretariat (ES)

The WFWO Executive Secretariat (ES) is responsible for the central administration and operational management of WFWO.

The Executive Secretariat manages the organization’s administrative services, human resources, grant portfolio, proposal-processing activities, and related operational functions.

Its responsibilities include:

• Managing administrative and human-resource services.
• Receiving and screening proposals submitted to WFWO.
• Coordinating the grant-management process.
• Managing the grant portfolio.
• Implementing approved performance-based grant funding arrangements.
• Issuing authorized instructions relating to the disbursement of funds to approved grant recipients.
• Supporting implementation of Executive Board policies and decisions.
• Supporting resource mobilization.
• Developing and supporting strategic planning and policy processes.
• Providing financial, legal, administrative, communications, and public-affairs support.
• Coordinating monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and organizational performance oversight.
• Maintaining appropriate records and documentation relating to WFWO programmes and grants.

The Executive Secretariat is based at WFWO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and its core staff are based at headquarters. Country-level activities are supported through the appropriate WFWO country networks and partners rather than through permanent Executive Secretariat offices outside headquarters.

3. WFWO Technical Review Panel Team (TRPT)

The WFWO Technical Review Panel Team (TRPT) is an independent body of international experts with appropriate technical and professional expertise in global development and cross-cutting development issues.

The TRPT may include specialists in areas such as:

• Sustainable development.
• Food security and agriculture.
• Health.
• Education.
• Safe drinking water and sanitation.
• Environmental protection and sustainability.
• Poverty reduction.
• Community development.
• Other relevant development sectors.

The TRPT reviews programme proposals in accordance with WFWO’s established technical criteria and procedures.

Its responsibilities include:

• Assessing the technical quality and feasibility of proposals.
• Reviewing programme objectives, methodology, sustainability, and expected results.
• Considering the relevance of proposed programmes to identified development needs.
• Assessing proposed implementation arrangements and technical capacity.
• Providing independent technical recommendations to the Executive Board Directors (EBD).

The TRPT provides technical advice and recommendations. Final governance and funding decisions remain subject to the authority of the WFWO Executive Board Directors in accordance with WFWO policies and procedures.

4. WFWO Executive Board Directors (EBD)

The WFWO Executive Board Directors (EBD) is the principal governance and strategic oversight body of WFWO.

The composition of the Executive Board may include representatives or members from relevant stakeholder groups, including:

• Donor and recipient constituencies.
• Civil society organizations.
• Academic and professional institutions.
• Financial institutions.
• Advocacy organizations.
• The private sector, including businesses and foundations.
• Programme participants and communities living with or affected by poverty and development challenges in developing countries.
• Other stakeholders considered relevant to WFWO’s mission and governance.

The Executive Board Directors are responsible for:

• Providing overall governance and strategic oversight.
• Establishing organizational strategies and policies.
• Reviewing and approving major organizational plans.
• Making funding decisions in accordance with WFWO policies and procedures.
• Approving organizational budgets.
• Providing oversight of programme implementation and performance.
• Supporting advocacy and resource mobilization.
• Ensuring appropriate accountability and institutional oversight.

5. WFWO Committees and Supporting Structures

WFWO may establish additional committees, working groups, advisory bodies, or technical structures where required to support effective governance, programme implementation, financial oversight, resource mobilization, and organizational development.

Such committees shall operate within clearly defined Terms of Reference and delegated authorities approved through the appropriate WFWO governance process.

The responsibilities and authority of each committee shall be clearly separated to avoid conflicts of interest and duplication of functions.

6. Grant Approval and Legal Agreements

WFWO grants shall be subject to the organization’s applicable eligibility requirements, proposal procedures, technical review, due diligence, approval processes, and financial controls.

Following the completion of the required procedures and approval by the appropriate WFWO authority, WFWO shall enter into a legal grant agreement with the approved recipient.

The grant agreement shall establish, as applicable:

• The approved programme and objectives.
• The approved funding amount.
• Eligible expenditures.
• Disbursement conditions.
• Reporting requirements.
• Monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Financial accountability requirements.
• Implementation responsibilities.
• Compliance obligations.
• Conditions relating to suspension, modification, or termination of funding.

 No applicant or programme shall be considered entitled to funding solely because a proposal has been   submitted or technically reviewed.

7. Executive Board Directors Resource Mobilization Team (EBDRMT)

The Executive Board Directors Resource Mobilization Team (EBDRMT) supports WFWO’s resource mobilization and stewardship arrangements.

Where WFWO establishes a trustee arrangement for programme funds, the trustee shall administer such funds in accordance with the applicable legal agreements, approved financial procedures, and authorized instructions.

The EBDRMT may recommend an appropriate international financial institution, regulated bank, or other suitably qualified financial institution to serve as trustee or financial partner, subject to appropriate due diligence, legal requirements, governance approval, and financial controls.

The trustee’s responsibilities may include:

• Holding or administering funds designated for approved WFWO programmes.
• Maintaining appropriate financial records.
• Processing authorized payments.
• Making payments to approved recipients in accordance with valid instructions.
• Providing financial statements and other required reports.
• Complying with applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and WFWO requirements.

The trustee does not independently determine which programmes receive funding. Programme approval and funding authorization remain subject to the applicable WFWO governance and approval processes.

8. Separation of Functions

To promote transparency, accountability, and sound governance, WFWO’s organizational structure should maintain appropriate separation between:

Country Advocacy and Programme Identification
WFWCRN and country-level partners identify needs, promote WFWO activities, engage stakeholders, and facilitate programme development.

Administration and Grant Management
The Executive Secretariat manages administrative processes, proposal screening, grant administration, monitoring, and authorized operational instructions.

Technical Assessment
The Technical Review Panel Team provides independent technical assessment and recommendations.

Governance and Funding Decisions
The Executive Board Directors provides strategic oversight and makes decisions within its delegated authority concerning policies, budgets, and funding.

Resource Mobilization and Financial Stewardship
The Resource Mobilization Team supports resource mobilization, while an appropriately appointed financial institution or trustee may administer designated funds under approved legal and financial arrangements.

This separation of responsibilities is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, independence of technical review, financial control, and effective implementation of WFWO programmes.