By Ismar Salimovic, Information Governance Lead, Oxfam
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as Oxfam, are increasingly dependent on digital technologies to deliver their missions. Yet without a comprehensive Information Governance (IG) framework, many face inefficiencies, heightened risk, and missed opportunities. In practice, the absence of a systematic approach often results in fragmented and inconsistent data management.
Recognizing this challenge, Oxfam identified the need to empower NGOs to unlock the full value of their data by providing a clear pathway to assess current practices, close gaps, and strengthen accountability. In today’s digital age, where the volume of data continues to grow exponentially, effective IG is more critical than ever. A robust framework ensures data quality, supports better decision-making, enhances service delivery, and promotes transparency and accountability. Conversely, without it, NGOs struggle to manage and leverage data effectively.
NetHope and Oxfam are pleased to launch the Information Governance (IG) Maturity Assessment Methodology and Tool, a practical, sector-aligned framework designed to help NGOs strengthen how they manage, protect, and use information.
Establishing IG standards and maturity measures would enable NGOs to adopt a structured, systematic, and standardized approach to governance. This would guide them in developing their own frameworks and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the sector.
Built through extensive research, consultations, and pilot testing across multiple organizations, the tool provides NGOs with a clear, structured way to understand their current IG capacity and chart a realistic path toward improvement. It combines a diagnostic dashboard, scoring model, and detailed guidance to help teams identify strengths, gaps, and priority actions across key IG domains.
A core aim of the project is accessibility and global reach. The tool, along with its guidance materials, is now available in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish, ensuring that organizations working in diverse linguistic and operational environments can adopt it with ease.
This resource is designed for NGOs of all sizes, whether beginning their IG journey or looking to refine mature practices. By supporting better data handling, stronger decision-making, and enhanced accountability, the assessment contributes directly to improved service delivery and community trust.
To build long-term learning and collaboration around IG, NetHope and Oxfam have launched the Information Governance Community of Practice (IG CoP), a sector-wide space where practitioners can exchange insights, troubleshoot challenges, and collectively elevate IG standards.
“Before this project, we had no structured way to understand our information governance gaps. The assessment tool gave us clarity we simply didn’t have before — and the webinars and CoP connected us with peers facing the same challenges. This project has pushed IG from a ‘nice to have’ to a strategic priority for us.” - Pilot participant, International NGO
The CoP brings together specialists from humanitarian, development, and human rights organizations who are working to improve data quality, privacy, transparency, and knowledge continuity. During its inaugural sessions, the group agreed on foundational elements that will guide its year ahead:
The CoP is designed as a practical, supportive environment, grounded in real challenges, real examples, and real solutions. It continues the momentum created through the multilingual webinars, pilots, and cross-organizational engagement that shaped the maturity assessment.
Organizations interested in joining the CoP or learning more can reach out via the:
This project is made possible through NetHope's Digital Protection Sub-Grants with generous support from Cisco through the Digital Breakthrough Initiative.
