Our Governance
The Sundarban Coalition follows a member-led, participatory and accountable approach to governance. Its governance arrangements are designed to support collective leadership, transparent decision-making, shared responsibility and meaningful participation by member organisations.
The Coalition is continuing to strengthen its governance systems as part of its journey towards greater institutional independence and sustainability.
Governance Structure
The Coalition’s governance structure brings together the Governance Council, Executive Committee, Coalition Secretariat, Working Committees and the current Host Organisation and Grant Custodian. Each part of the structure has a distinct role in providing strategic direction, managing regular affairs, supporting implementation and maintaining accountability.
Governance Council
The Governance Council is the Coalition’s highest decision-making body. It provides strategic direction, reviews and approves major plans and budgets, and oversees the Coalition’s progress towards its shared objectives.
Representatives of member organisations participate in the Council, helping ensure that decisions are based on collective discussion, shared ownership and the priorities of the communities they serve.
The Governance Council also provides oversight to the Executive Committee and Secretariat and supports the Coalition’s long-term institutional development.
Executive Committee
A seven-member Executive Committee was formed in September 2025 through nomination by the Governance Council. The Committee supports the management of regular Coalition affairs and helps make operational decision-making more timely, focused and effective.
The Executive Committee remains accountable to the Governance Council and works with the Secretariat to implement agreed priorities and strengthen the Coalition’s governance and accountability systems.
Coalition Secretariat
The Coalition Secretariat serves as the central coordination and accountability mechanism of the Sundarban Coalition. It supports the day-to-day functioning of the Coalition and facilitates communication and collaboration among members, governance bodies, partners and other stakeholders.
The Secretariat’s responsibilities include:
- Coordinating Coalition plans, programmes and Joint Action Plans
- Organising meetings and maintaining relevant records
- Supporting programme implementation, monitoring and reporting
- Facilitating member capacity strengthening
- Supporting compliance with approved policies and procedures
- Coordinating communication, advocacy and resource mobilisation
- Supporting working committees and governance bodies
- Promoting accountability, learning and information sharing
The Secretariat operates with increasing functional autonomy while remaining accountable to the Governance Council and the current Host Organisation and Grant Custodian.
Working Committees
Working Committees provide specialised support to the Coalition’s governance and operations. They bring together relevant knowledge and experience from member organisations and the Secretariat.
The Coalition’s working committee framework includes the following areas:
Safeguarding and Complaint Response Mechanism
This committee supports the safe, confidential and impartial handling of safeguarding concerns and complaints. It helps ensure that concerns are acknowledged, appropriately reviewed and referred for necessary action in accordance with the Coalition’s approved procedures.
Programme Quality and MEAL
This committee supports programme quality and promotes effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning. It reviews relevant activities and contributes recommendations to strengthen performance, community accountability and organisational learning.
Finance and Audit
This committee supports financial integrity, transparency and accountability. Its areas of focus include financial management, compliance, audit processes, internal controls and financial risk management.
Resource Mobilisation
This committee supports fundraising, donor engagement and the identification of sustainable financing opportunities aligned with the Coalition’s priorities.
Campaign, Communication and Branding
This working area supports the Coalition’s advocacy, public communication, visibility and consistent institutional identity. Its detailed composition and operating arrangements will be published following formal approval.
Additional committees may be formed when required by the Governance Council.
Host Organisation and Grant Custodian
The Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) currently serves as the Host Organisation and Grant Custodian of the Sundarban Coalition for Phase III.
In this role, AVAS supports grant compliance, financial accountability, administrative processes and coordination while the Coalition continues to strengthen the capacity and independence of its governance and Secretariat systems.
Participatory Decision-Making
The Coalition promotes democratic and inclusive decision-making. Members participate in planning, consultation and review processes, while community priorities are identified through participatory approaches and reflected in Joint Action Plans.
Major programme plans and budgets are reviewed through the Coalition’s governance processes before approval. This approach helps maintain collective ownership, local relevance and accountability to participating communities.
Accountability and Complaints
The Sundarban Coalition is committed to safeguarding, transparency and responsible complaint management. Its complaint response process provides different channels through which community members, programme participants, staff, representatives and other stakeholders may raise concerns.
Complaints are handled with appropriate confidentiality, impartiality and respect for the safety of complainants and whistleblowers. The process includes acknowledgement, review or investigation, communication of outcomes and an opportunity to appeal when necessary.
Detailed reporting channels and guidance are available on the Feedback & Complaints and Safeguarding pages.
Strengthening Governance and Independence
During Phase III, the Coalition initiated a review of its Constitution and governance arrangements to clarify roles, improve decision-making and strengthen accountability among the Governance Council, Executive Committee, Secretariat, Host Organisation and member organisations.
The Coalition is also working towards formal legal registration, stronger institutional systems, diversified funding and greater operational independence. Updated governance information will be published following formal review and approval.
Governance Resources (গভর্ন্যান্স রিসোর্স)
Explore the Sundarban Coalition’s approved governance framework, working committees, complaints response mechanism and channels for submitting feedback or complaints.
সুন্দরবন কোয়ালিশনের অনুমোদিত পরিচালন কাঠামো, ওয়ার্কিং কমিটি, অভিযোগ সাড়াদান পদ্ধতি এবং মতামত বা অভিযোগ জানানোর মাধ্যম সম্পর্কে জানুন।