Institutionalisation
Institutionalising CEA means making it part of the organisation’s DNA, or business as usual. It means integrating community engagement into strategies, policies, plans and ways of working until it becomes a predictable, systematic part of every activity, at every stage of the programme or disaster response cycle. To achieve this, an organisation needs to make strengthening accountability to communities an organisational priority, with adequate funding, staff time and leadership support. The range of case studies and guides on this hub will help you to institutionalise CEA in your own context.
Minimum actions and guidance to institutionalise CEA
To effectively institutionalise CEA, organisations need to take deliberate, practical steps that embed community engagement and accountability into everyday operations. The minimum actions and guidance outlined below provide a clear framework to help you do this. For more detailed guidance on each of the actions, visit the Institutionalisation chapter in the CEA Guide.
Strengthen CEA understanding and capacity at all levels in an organisation
Allocate resources, including funding and staff, to strengthen and institutionalise CEA
Integrate CEA into organisational strategies, values, plans, policies, and tools
Establish a community feedback mechanism for the organisation, with processes for managing sensitive complaints
Discover National Society CEA Institutionalisation Journeys
20 August 2025
Institutionalising Community Engagement and Accountability: Red Cross Society of Niger
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IFRC, Red Cross Society of NigerIn this video, Adamou Amadou Tidjani outlines the Red Cross Society of Niger’s efforts to integrate Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) into its work.
19 August 2025
Strengthening Community Engagement and Accountability: Uganda Red Cross Society
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British Red Cross, Uganda Red CrossIn this video, Frances Amulen, Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) Officer at the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), highlights how senior management’s commitment has ensured resources for CEA.
19 August 2025
Building Trust Through Feedback: Mali Red Cross
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British Red Cross, Mali Red CrossIn this video, Fatoumata Sow, National Coordinator on PGI/CEA for the Mali Red Cross, explains how the national society is institutionalising Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) through local complaint management…
29 July 2025
The Asia Pacific Roadmap for Community Engagement and Accountability
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RoadmapOrganization:
CDA, IFRCThis roadmap is a plan for improving community engagement and accountability across the Asia Pacific region. It is based on input from 38 people during interviews, two focus group discussions,…
2 July 2025
Community Engagement and Accountability Catalogue
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IFRCWould you like to apply CEA in your project, in an emergency, or in institutionalisation processes? In this catalogue, you will find a guide to help you determine which tools…
2 July 2025
CEA Institutionalisation Video Series: Chad
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British Red Cross, Red Cross of ChadIn this video, the Red Cross of Chad shares reflections, achievements, challenges, and key lessons from their CEA institutionalisation journey. Part of a four-country series featuring Chad, Kenya, Nepal, and…
2 July 2025
CEA Institutionalisation Video Series: Nepal
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British Red Cross, Nepal Red CrossIn this video, the Nepal Red Cross Society shares reflections, achievements, challenges, and key lessons from their CEA institutionalisation journey. Part of a four-country series featuring Chad, Kenya, Nepal, and…
2 July 2025
CEA Institutionalisation Video Series: Nigeria
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British Red Cross, Nigerian Red CrossIn this video, the Nigerian Red Cross Society shares reflections, achievements, challenges, and key lessons from their CEA institutionalisation journey. Part of a four-country series featuring Chad, Kenya, Nepal, and…
30 June 2025
CEA Institutionalisation Video Series: Kenya
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British Red Cross, Kenya Red CrossIn this video, the Kenya Red Cross shares reflections, achievements, challenges, and key lessons from their CEA institutionalisation journey. Part of a four-country series featuring Chad, Kenya, Nepal, and Nigeria,…
30 June 2025
British Red Cross’ Review of CEA Institutionalisation
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Learning reviewOrganization:
British Red CrossThis review documents the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) journey of seven National Societies currently being supported by the British Red Cross to institutionalise CEA. It explores key successes, challenges,…
9 June 2025
Afghan Red Crescent Societies’ CEA Policy
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Afghan Red Crescent SocietyThe Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) is undertaking substantial efforts to institutionalise CEA across its operations and programmes, and to advance the implementation of the CEA Minimum Commitments. As part…
19 May 2025
Strategy Refresh Insights: Community Listening Activities Summary Report
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ReportOrganization:
British Red CrossA summary of the community listening activities the British Red Cross undertook to inform their organisational strategy refresh in 2024.
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