Safeguarding
At Collective Aid, we are dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful, and ethical environment for all which is why are committed to ensuring open access to confidential and easy-to-use mechanisms for raising concerns.
We encourage all those who to report any breaches of conduct, safeguarding concerns, or unethical behavior without fear of retaliation. Your voice is crucial in helping us create a safer and more just workplace and community.
How to Report a Concern
We offer multiple ways for individuals to report safeguarding concerns or complaints, ensuring ease of access and confidentiality. Each method ensures your report is received and handled with discretion and care. All reports, regardless of the method used, will be handled strictly in confidence and according to our safeguarding and whistleblowing policies.
1.
Anonymous Concern Report Form
You may submit a concern using our secure online reporting form. You have the option to remain anonymous, but please note that providing contact details may help us follow up effectively.
2.
Email Reporting
You are also welcome to send an email to the appropriate programme lead or department. Your report will be treated with the utmost discretion.
Executive Director: director@collectiveaidngo.org
International HR Manager: hr@collectiveaidngo.org
Serbia Programme: serbiapm@collectiveaidngo.org
Bosnia Programme: sarajevopm@collectiveaidngo.org
Greece Programme: lesvospm@collectiveaidngo.org
We request you to provide as much detail as possible for efficient processing.
3.
In-Person Reporting
If you are on site or you work in proximity to Collective Aid, then you might also want to consider reporting you concerns directly to a Safeguarding Lead in person. A private meeting can be arranged upon request.
Collective Aid is committed to protecting the confidentiality of whistleblowers and individuals who report concerns. No individual will face discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for submitting a good-faith report. Beyond ensuring strict confidentiality of all reports, we always ensure a survivor-centered approach to handling sensitive issues.
4.
External Reporting
If you are not comfortable with any of these options and you would prefer to communicate with someone external to the team then we would encourage you to communicate with either our external whistleblowing reference or a member of our board of trustees.
What Should Be Reported?
If you have concerns about the following matters then we strongly encourage you to consider making a report:
Harassment or abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, financial)
Discrimination (based on race, gender, sexuality, ability, or other factors)
Fraud, corruption, or mismanagement of funds
Breach of safeguarding policies affecting vulnerable populations
Safety violations in the workplace or field operations
Ethical misconduct or conflicts of interest
What Happens When I Report?
We follow a structured process to ensure fairness and accountability.
Submission – Your report will be received securely through one of our designated channels and reviewed.
Acknowledgment – You will receive confirmation (unless the report is anonymous).
Assessment – A Safeguarding and Complaints Taskforce will be established to review the report and determine next steps.
Investigation – Where necessary, an internal or external investigation will be conducted.
Action to Resolution – Appropriate measures will be taken, including disciplinary action, provision of support services, or policy adjustments.
Follow-Up – Outcomes will be monitored to ensure corrective actions are effective and that the reporte, is updated on case progress.
We work to adhere to sector best practices in safeguarding and complaints handling and we always gather advice about improving practices and processes where possible. Our policies are informed by trauma-informed and survivor-centred approaches, we provide mandatory safeguarding training to all team members, we regularly review our policies to strengthen protections and we proactively seek to collaborate with external safeguarding authorities to ensure accountability and best practices.
For more Information we encourage you to examine our policies.
Your Role in Safeguarding
Safeguarding and Whistleblowing means more than issuing complaints. We all have a responsibility to foster a safe, ethical, and inclusive environment, which sometimes is only possible through speaking up. In doing so you play a vital role in maintaining our values and ensuring accountability. We understand that reporting concerns can be difficult and as such we encourage individuals to seek support where they feel it is necessary:
Internal Support – Our HR Manager can provide guidance and support for those reporting concerns.
External Support – If you need independent advice or assistance, we can also direct you to legal aid or mental health support services.
