Ethical guidelines, developed by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) in collaboration with stakeholders, are targeted to all projects with partners from the Global South. The guidelines aim to strengthen equal and fair partnerships. They provide a basis for discussing important aspects of project planning and implementation, enhancing collaboration and transparency.
Illustration image

uidelines at a glance

The following picture visualises the four guidelines. Read more about each guideline in the text. You can also download the guidelines as a PDF file at the bottom of this page.

Illustration image, the content of which is opened in the text.

Building trust and common understanding is essential for achieving equal and successful collaboration. Main aspects of the collaboration should be openly discussed with partners to identify practical solutions, support more equitable project collaboration, and foster mutual understanding.  
  • Reserve time to get to know each other and structure the planning phase before entering collaboration. This could include discussions on:
    • goals and objectives
    • needs and priorities
    • roles and responsibilities
    • potential impacts and risks
    • shared values and principles
    • communication and knowledge sharing
    • funding rules, and
    • context-related differences, for example values and norms.  
  • Communicate clearly, precisely, and continuously to develop common understanding. 
  • Include all partners from the very beginning to formulate and express their objectives for the project, as well as share responsibilities. Ensure that the planned actions and project results align with the actual needs of all partners and actors affected by the activities. 
Back to top

Before initiating and throughout the collaboration, jointly discuss and address:   
  • Unequal resources for the collaboration among partners, such as financial, administrative, and social capacities. 
  • Inequalities and privileges of different actors involved in the partnership, concerning aspects such as gender, age, class, economic situation and political stand. 
  • Rules, regulations, and conditions of the funding programmes, as well as how to implement these in different operational contexts of the partners. 
  • Project administration structures and roles of coordinating and partner institutions. ​Seek to prevent misunderstandings or unintentionally strengthening power structures.
  • Any benefits resulting from the collaboration, be it monetary, intellectual property, or other, should be shared fairly and equitably. 
Back to top

Transparent and equal access to information and decision-making requires jointly agreed principles, practices, resources, and time from all partners.  
  • Document the agreed arrangements in your partnership agreement. 
  • Explore with all partners the decision-making and communication structures that would best serve equity and suit the context of the partner institutions.
  • Practice shared decision-making: decisions should be made collaboratively with equal input from all sides. Avoid imposing solutions or decisions without full consultation.  
  • Share information in short, clear format and utilise expertise in matters related to the local context, such as language and communication, to ensure the accessibility of information.  
  • Ensure that the data from and concerning individuals and communities is protected and used ethically. 
  • Create feedback mechanisms for all parties to be able to voice concerns and provide feedback throughout the collaboration. 
  • Review regularly your collaboration to ensure that ethical considerations remain at the forefront.
Back to top

The languages used in the project can influence access to information, possibilities to participate, and play a role in the creation of unequal power structures.  
  • Acknowledge the relevance of local languages, customs, traditions, norms, and values to build equal communication. If local languages are used, ensure the professionalism of interpreters and translators.  
  • Enhance understanding and respect for contextual differences. 
  • Involve actively colleagues with local knowledge and understanding, such as members of the Global South diaspora.
Illustration image
Back to top

Some of the links below lead to websites external to EDUFI.

Download the guidelines in presentation format
Back to top