International aid charities Integrity Action and Crown Agents have announced they have merged.

The move is aimed at “strengthening accountability and effectiveness in aid and development programmes”, according to a statement from the charities.

While Crown Agents works to improve operational effectiveness of international development work Integrity Action has a “complementary citizen led approach to improving services and accountability”, added the statement.

This includes merging support to rebuild hospitals for communities in Ukraine to “bring in a strong citizen voice into reconstruction efforts”. This will help “minimise corruption and increase long term support”, say the charities.

“We are delighted that such an innovative and entrepreneurial organisation is joining the Crown Agents’ global platform,” said Crown Agents chief executive Fergus Drake.

“There is a significant need for digital solutions that enable citizens to hold their governments and donors to account for projects in their communities. Integrity Action are global leaders in this area and we are greatly looking forward to working closely together to increase our overall development impact”.

Jasmina Haynes, the chief executive of Integrity Action, added: “We are thrilled to join forces with Crown Agents in this innovative partnership. I believe that our joint added value is greater than the sum of our individual expertise – it directly responds to the fact that the world needs greater impact from not-for-profits.

“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing volatility and the accelerating impacts of climate change, it is more important than ever that citizens have an active role in creating a better future, holding leaders and organisations to account for the promises made to them.”

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