Annual report

partner of choice for their government, donors 
and partners. 
National Society development is a multi-faceted 
process that involves more than just capacity 
building. The journey also encompasses organ-
izational development, youth and volunteer 
development, and building a culture of organ-
izational learning with a focus on leadership 
development and knowledge management. 
In total, nine important functions are provided to 
National Societies and the IFRC through the work 
of this department. They are: National Society 
Development; Volunteering; Youth engagement; 
Organizational learning, leadership develop-
ment and knowledge management; Protection, 
Gender and Inclusion; Policy research; Internal 
and external policy development and position-
ing; Advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, and 
Innovation.
Organizational transformation
Organizational Transformation activities are 
designed to ensure that National Societies 
receive relevant support as they undergo 
Annual Overview 
| About the IFRC 
35

---

changes in line with 
Strategy 2030
’s transfor-
mations. These transformations have National 
Society development, reach, and excellence at 
their heart: the first is “Supporting and devel-
oping National Societies as strong and effective 
local actors”.
The IFRC’s support in this area includes both 
the development and implementation of tech-
nical services directly contributing to these 
transformations (e.g. branch development; 
National Society development assessments, 
legal and policy base; financial sustainability) 
as well as ensuring the alignment of global 
programmes and emergency operations to 
development principles of the National Society 
development framework, the National Society 
development compact and the National Society 
development compact policy, in line with the 
Localization Agenda. 
Many aspects of IFRC work actively contribute 
to the development of National Societies in 
specific areas. Targeted support is provided for 
regional offices and delegations, who directly 
support the development of National Societies, 
as well as technical teams at both regional and 
global levels. 
The IFRC works to boost and promote the 
auxiliary role of National Societies; to foster 
innovation, and provide guidance for develop-
ment services. Preparedness and response 
frameworks for emergencies are integrated 
into the development approaches of National 
Societies. This responsibility extends to engaging 
and advising other IFRC and Movement actors, 
as well as external partners.
In 2022, a new approach to supporting National 
Societies was introduced through peer-to-peer 
assistance facilitated by the establishment of the 
Financial Development Community of Practice. 
This initiative enables staff and volunteers from 
National Societies to establish direct connec-
tions and engage in effortless exchanges of 
views and experiences. Additionally, it promotes 
collaborative problem-solving by fostering joint, 
integrated efforts. By facilitating direct interac-
tion, this innovative platform empowers National 
Societies to learn from one another and share 
valuable insights, strengthening their collective 
capacity to address challenges and find effective 
solutions in a collaborative manner. 
Operational Movement and
Membership Coordination
The IFRC has a statutory mandate to coordinate. 
Since the creation of the IFRC in 1919, ensuring 
effective coordination among its members to 
achieve an efficient humanitarian response 
alongside our Fundamental Principles has been 
guiding our actions.
The IFRC has a constitutional mandate to 
‘organize, coordinate and direct international 
relief actions in accordance with the ‘Principles 
and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent 
humanitarian Assistance’’, acting through or in 
agreement with the National Society. 
The general aim of the IFRC is to inspire, 
encourage, facilitate and promote at all times 
all forms of humanitarian activities, with the 
objectives of ensuring the coordination of our 
international activities, the development and 
implementation of common standards and 
policies, organizational development, capacity 
building and effective international disaster 
management, and of having an international 
presence and recognition as a global partner in 
humanitarian assistance. This includes: