HOW THE CESF WAS ORGANISED Awards under the CESF The CESF was set up as a targeted and time-bound initiative to raise and channel resources to, strengthen capacities of, and work in partnership with NGOs and citizenship rights activists at the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis. The Consortium model was developed with an intentionally responsive and adaptive approach, led and informed by local need and leadership with an overarching supportive framework developed. The aim of all interventions supported would be to identify and work towards a systemic solution. However, where urgent humanitarian needs were identified by partners on the ground and there were no other means to address them swiftly, humanitarian relief could also be provided, offering short-term relief while working towards structural solutions. • • • • • SCOPING: small awards (max EUR 5,000) to understand needs and develop strategies to address them. ACTION: larger awards (max EUR 25,000) towards research, capacity building or advocacy. EXCEPTIONAL: small awards (max EUR 5,000) to cover exceptional circumstances. ADVOCACY: additional awards (EUR 1,500) to Consortium members for global advocacy inputs. WRAP-UP: additional awards (EUR 1,550) for Consortium members to participate in evaluation and lessons learnt process. The fund was administered by ISI, who also provided coordination, facilitation, capacity building and practical support. A dedicated CESF Committee was established to be responsible for decisionmaking to approve larger Action Awards, as well as advising on smaller Scoping and Exceptional Awards upon request, facilitating a mid-term review of the performance of the CESF and providing an oversight function. The CESF Committee comprised a mix of individuals directly affected by statelessness, civil society representatives, advocates, humanitarian actors and grant makers. 80% of all funds raised were directly awarded to partners at the frontline of the crisis. Established NGOs, stateless-led groups, community organisations, and exceptionally, individual activists, were eligible to receive support. Decisions were made transparently and under set criteria, with priority afforded to those with less access to mainstream funding. 20% of funds were drawn on by ISI to: provide knowledge support, capacity development, networking and strategic collaboration to all Consortium members; directly support the peer learning, sharing and capacity development activities of the Consortium and lead and coordinate global awareness raising and advocacy efforts. ISI offered genuine partnership through this approach. For every CESF partner, ISI committed staff time and resources to be able to work together to achieve impact, gradually growing this international Consortium of partners. ISI did not draw on the CESF to cover any institutional overheads related to its COVID-19 response nor towards costs directly associated with administering or fundraising for the Fund. Consortium Activities While each Consortium project was implemented independently (as a collaboration between each partner and ISI), the Consortium also shared a common online forum, regularly meeting to exchange updates and build solidarity, strategising and implementing global advocacy actions, and serving as a space for the sharing of expertise and peer learning. Capacity building workshops were organised for the Consortium on a range of topics (based on needs assessment), as follows: SEPT 2020 • The first CESF Consortium meeting, at which partners presented the situations they were dealing with, their project ideas, lessons learned and brainstormed on ideas for collaborative action. NOV 2020 • A research workshop, facilitated by an external research expert to share tips on constructing research methodologies and conducting research. JAN 2021 • A follow up research workshop, where partners could further brainstorm their research methods and share general project updates. • An outreach and communications workshop, where partners discussed advocacy and outreach priorities in their countries and regionally; and ISI presented on communications and social media. APR 2021 • A discussion on pro-bono assistance, led by law firm DLA Piper, on how to find and approach a pro-bono firm, the types of assistance firms can offer, and how to maintain relationships with firms. MAY 2021 • An advocacy workshop, led by an advocacy expert, who focussed on how to engage governments, followed by a discussion led by ISI, relating to advocacy plans around the upcoming Impact Report. DEC 2021 • A media workshop facilitated by one of the CESF Committee Members. MARCH 2022 • A workshop on monitoring and evaluation, including how to report on impact and lessons learnt. APR 2022 • A follow up advocacy workshop to deepen discussions with partners about engagement. MARCH 2021 In addition to the Workshops, ISI also worked bilaterally with some Consortium partners to support them in their fundraising efforts and to offer advice on strengthening administrative processes and other areas of institutional development. 9