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About CGD Europe
CGD Europe is a charitable company limited by guarantee (registered charity number 1157318), registered in England and Wales and governed by Articles of Association. It is not VAT registered. It was established by the Center for Global Development (CGD)- a U.S. non-profit think tank based in Washington, D.C., USA. CGD is the sole company law member of CGD Europe.
Whilst CGD Europe was founded by CGD, the two organisations are separate independent legal and financial entities, although they hold closely aligned objectives and collaborate on joint projects and initiatives where in both organisations’ interests. The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees who must make decisions only in the best interests of CGD Europe and are responsible for the charity’s compliance, governance and furtherance of its charitable purposes for the public benefit[1]. CGD Europe has detailed procedures for identification and management of any potential conflicts of interest.
Independence Statement
CGD Europe is an independent and nonpartisan charitable research institution. All work by CGD Europe seeks to advance knowledge and understanding and educate for public benefit in accordance with English and Welsh charity law and its charitable purposes. Our activities must further our purposes and be consistent with CGD Europe’s powers and applicable law.
As such, and as in the case of all donations, grants and other payments to CGD Europe, CGD Europe retains total discretion regarding the use of funds in furtherance of our charitable purposes[2], subject only to any commitment to use said funds for the programs or projects described in the enclosed proposal and/or where we have specifically agreed to accept restricted funds.
There can be no conditions or limitations on CGD Europe’s independence in research, findings, conclusions, or resulting publications. Where appropriate, CGD Europe may welcome and consider comments or views from donors, but CGD Europe will retain total discretion and final decision-making authority regarding program and project research topics, speakers, and participants in activities, and on the contents of reports.
CGD Europe shall be the sole and exclusive owner of any and all products, services, processes, technologies, materials, software, data, files, lists, documents, computer records, research, compositions, works of authorship, computer programs, work product, know-how, algorithm, method, process, procedure, improvement, discovery, invention, other innovations, and intellectual property (“Work Product”) made, conceived, reduced to practice, or learned, either by CGD Europe alone or jointly with other collaborators, as developed or acquired with donor support. Work Product shall immediately become and remain the exclusive property of CGD Europe, regardless of whether such Work Product is patentable or copyrightable.
Political activity in the UK
CGD Europe is politically non-partisan and takes care to ensure that its reputation as an independent, apolitical organisation is maintained. The purpose of CGD Europe’s research and educational activity is to advance education, knowledge and understanding and not to achieve a change in the law, policy or decisions of government or public bodies or to support or oppose any political party or candidate. CGD Europe will never support or oppose a political party, candidate or politician and does not, and will not, engage in activity that would trigger registration under the UK consultant lobbying regime. Accordingly, CGD Europe and its employees will not make personal communications to Ministers or senior civil servants in the UK on behalf of a CGD Europe donor or as a specifically agreed activity under a grant or donation agreement relating to a government function, the development, adoption or modification of legislation or policy, or the taking of any steps by the government in relation to any contract, agreement, grant, financial assistance, licence or authorisation.
Engagement with foreign governments
Restrictions on political activity under UK charity law apply to activities aimed at changing or opposing change to law, policy and decisions of governments and public bodies both in the UK and overseas. CGD Europe will not engage in any such activity whether in the UK or in relation to foreign governments.
In addition to complying with the UK consultant lobbying regime, CGD Europe and its employees will not engage in federal lobbying contacts or federal lobbying activity on behalf of any donor. Furthermore, CGD and CGD Europe shall not undertake activities on behalf of the donor that constitute “political activities” under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, including activities that are intended to in any way influence any agency or official of the Government of the United States or any section of the public within the United States with reference to formulating, adopting, or changing the domestic or foreign policies of the United States or with reference to the political or public interests, policies, or relations of a foreign government or foreign political party.
For the avoidance of doubt, CGD and CGD Europe’s work shall not be directed by a foreign government or political party and shall not directly promote the public or political interests of a foreign government or political party.
Organisational values and policies
CGD Europe will continue to ensure that its organisational culture, human resources policies and practices, and approach to research and partnerships adhere to its stated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. We are committed to the elimination of harassment, discrimination, bullying, and other non-inclusive behaviour in all its forms. We recognise the inherent dignity of all persons and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that recognises and respects diverse groups of individuals and their experiences. CGD Europe has adopted employment policies in furtherance of these values and in compliance with all applicable laws, including but not limited to an equal employment opportunity and harassment policy, and expects its partners to do the same.
[1] The charitable purposes of CGD Europe, as set out in its Articles of Association, are to promote, for the public benefit, education and research into: poverty; health; sustainable development; economics; good governance and transparency in public life and administration; and public finance (including social finance); and to publish and disseminate the useful results of such research. Sustainable development means development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.