CISU's Whistleblowing Policy

CISU works to promote a strong, accountable and transparent civil society. We expect a high ethical standard within our own organisation and among the organisations and projects we support.

The Whistleblowing Policy provides an opportunity to confidentially report serious concerns relating to CISU or CISU-funded activities. The scheme supplements CISU’s ordinary complaints procedure and the procedure for reporting financial irregularities.


What can be reported?

CISU’s Whistleblowing Policy may be used to report suspicion or knowledge of serious matters relating to CISU or CISU-funded activities.

This may include, for example:

  • Corruption, fraud or misuse of funds
  • Sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment (SEAH)
  • Serious harassment or discrimination
  • Serious breaches of CISU’s Code of Conduct
  • Abuse of power or retaliation
  • Other serious violations of law in connection with CISU or CISU-funded activities

How to submit a report

Attention: The whistleblower scheme DOES NOT cover: 

  • Complaints regarding administrative decisions
  • Ordinary professional disagreements
  • General questions regarding case processing
  • Grant holders’ obligation to report irregularities

If you wish to complain about a decision made by CISU, please use the complaints procedure.

If your concern relates to financial irregularities in a grant, please refer to the page on reporting irregularities.

Who can report?

The whistleblowing policy can be used by:

  • Current and former employees
  • Members of the Board
  • Consultants and suppliers
  • Grant holders
  • Local partners
  • Project participants
  • Other persons with knowledge of matters relating to CISU or CISU-funded activities

Reports may be submitted anonymously.

For grant holders

Grant holders are required to:

  • Have a Code of Conduct or equivalent ethical framework
  • Ensure access to relevant complaint or reporting mechanisms
  • Notify CISU of serious irregularities in accordance with applicable guidelines

The whistleblowing policy does not replace the grant holder’s own obligations.

How to submit a report:

If you wish to make a whistleblowing report, please send an email to:
whistleblowing@cisu.dk

Please state the subject line as: “Confidential whistleblowing report”.

When submitting a report, you are encouraged, as far as possible, to describe:

  • What happened
  • Who is involved
  • When the incident took place
  • Whether documentation exists


Do you wish to report anonymously?

Reports can be submitted anonymously. If you wish to remain anonymous, you should create an anonymised email address (for example whistleblower1@gmail.com) and use this when submitting your report. Reports will only be processed if a sender/contact point is provided.


Before submitting your report: 

Familiarize yourself with CISU's Code of Conduct for a detailed overview of procedures and processes. 

CISU is not a public authority and cannot make criminal determinations. If the matter concerns potential criminal offences, it may be referred to the relevant authorities.

 

Confidentiality and protection

Reports are handled confidentially and shared only with persons who have a legitimate need to know. Processing of information takes place in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

CISU does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who, in good faith, report serious concerns.

Information may be disclosed to relevant authorities or donors where CISU is legally obliged to do so, or where the nature of the matter requires it.