The Aid Visibility Forum is a knowledge hub dedicated to visibility in the international aid sector.
It provides a one-stop-shop for resources, information and advice on achieving appropriate recognition for development cooperation, peacebuilding and humanitarian aid partnerships – as well as for individual partners – with the ultimate aim of strengthening these partnerships and enhancing aid effectiveness. At a time of significant change in the global aid sector, not least within the United Nations system, we argue that achieving visibility for the positive, life-changing benefits of aid partnerships is more important than ever.
Visibility in action in Cameroon. Photo: ©Philippe Douryan/NRC
Why visibility matters
Partnerships are at the heart of international aid. In 2024, official development assistance from countries of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee amounted to USD 212.1 billion. A significant decline in this assistance of 9% to 17% in 2025 is forecast by the OECD, placing pressure on aid recipients in low and middle income countries.
Traditionally, creating visibility for international aid partnerships focused on acknowledging the donors – mainly the governments who contribute development aid., but also development banks, foundations, non-governmental organizations and charities. The onus was on funding recipients to highlight the vital support provided by their funding partners. However, a shift in thinking around aid effectiveness and inclusive partnerships between governments, bilateral and multilateral development organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society has changed that.
Photo: ©UNOCHA/Adedeji Ademigbuji
The concept of ‘donor visibility’ remains important. Meeting the formal recognition requirements of funding partners, as set out in legal agreements, is especially relevant. Yet there has been a pivot towards collective approaches to highlighting the shared goals and results of partnerships, and to recognizing the contributions of each partner: financial, technical and in-kind. It is about working together to achieve appropriate visibility as an integral part of programme or project delivery.
Visibility objectives go far beyond promotion. For example, tax payers should know where their government’s aid funding is going, who is benefitting and how, to provide a compelling case for maintaining vital overseas aid. That is why the Aid Visibility Forum’s mission is to build stronger and more effective aid partnerships through improved strategic visibility.
Who is this site for?
We assist practitioners in the international development, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding community. These include programme and project managers, partnership specialists, legal advisers and various communication specialists – such as communication managers, public information officers, graphic designers, photographers and audiovisual producers.
Understand your partners’ visibility needs
Many governments and aid organizations specify visibility requirements and provide guidelines for their partners. Documents vary from communication and visibility clauses in legal contracts to basic guides and comprehensive manuals. To access such visibility resources and examples of plans and toolkits for partnerships, visit our Resource Centre.
The Aid Visibility Forum was founded in 2017.