Introduction

Future Horizons Institute (FHI) is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all its operations and partnerships. We have established a clear and accessible whistleblower mechanism to address well-founded suspicions of corruption, misconduct, or unethical behaviour—whether reported internally or externally.

Purpose

This policy aims to ensure a work environment that is guided by the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and safety for all staff, consultants, advisors, Board members, and partners of Future Horizons Institute (henceforth: FHI representatives), and those with whom they interact on behalf of FHI, including partners (henceforth: FHI stakeholders). It is intended to facilitate the reporting of any misconduct that may affect FHI’s projects and accountability vis-à-vis donors.

Scope

This policy applies to all FHI representatives and stakeholders, including interactions in person or in virtual spaces. It may be used for reporting cases of misconduct, including, but not limited to, sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, gender discrimination, corruption or bribery, as defined in the FHI Detection and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment Policy, the FHI Gender Policy, and the FHI Conde of Conduct.

Confidentiality and Protection

FHI guarantees that the identity of a whistleblower will be protected upon request and that all reports will be handled with strict confidentiality. If a whistleblower’s identity is inadvertently exposed, FHI will take all reasonable measures to safeguard the individual’s well-being, including modifying their duties or providing additional protection.

Awareness and Communication

FHI ’s Whistleblower Policy, Detection and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment Policy, Gender Policy and Conde of Conduct will be shared with FHI representatives, stakeholders, and be included in all contractual agreements.

Roles and Responsibilities

FHI encourages the reporting of misconduct as soon as it happens. Reporting of corruption or financial mismanagement is mandatory and can happen at any time. In addition, FHI encourages the reporting of any adverse incidents—such as extortion, threats, theft, or coercion—even if they are not explicitly mentioned in FHI policies. Systematic documentation of such incidents is vital for building and improving FHI ’s risk management and due diligence system.

All substantiated reports will be addressed promptly. The whistleblower will receive acknowledgment of receipt of the report within three working days.

FHI management will determine appropriate next steps based on the nature of the case. Documentation will be securely stored in FHI ’s internal system with limited access granted only to staff involved in the case resolution.

FHI Board members will be informed of any decisions made by FHI management.

Reporting Procedure

Reports can be submitted confidentially or anonymously by email to whistleblowing@futurehorizonsinstitute.org. All emails sent to this account are received by the FHI Managing Director, the Gender Focal Point and the Ethics Focal Point.

To facilitate effective follow-up, reports should include:

• Name and position of the whistleblower (if not anonymous);

• Name of the individual(s) or entity involved;

• Timeframe and, if possible, date/time of the event(s);

• Factual description of the incident(s), including location;

• Names and contacts of other potential witnesses (if known);

• Any history of similar incidents involving the same individuals or units.