NRGI Strategy 2020-2025
Toward a resilient and sustainable future
For the one billion people living in poverty in resource-rich countries, the management of oil, gas and minerals can either improve or degrade the quality of life. The accelerating climate crisis and the devastating economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic present an unprecedented opportunity to address this decades-old challenge.
The Natural Resource Governance Institute supports countries to improve the lives of citizens - now and in the future.
OUR MISSION
We are an independent, global policy analysis and advocacy institute, working with partners to ensure that:
Countries rich in oil, gas and minerals achieve sustainable, inclusive development.
People receive lasting benefits—and experience reduced harms—from the extractive sector.
Who we are
For over a decade NRGI has worked to lift countries out of poverty by acting as a knowledge generator, convener of change-makers, trusted broker and capacity builder. We seize opportunities during moments of political openness to advance and sustain policy reform.
We believe in rigorous, evidence-driven, dialogue-based decision-making. Our work with in-country reformers and engagement with international influencers inform and reinforce one another.
Our expertise
NRGI focuses on governance reforms most critical to economic and environmental sustainability. We work to ensure that citizens can get a good deal for their countries’ resources and that authorities manage revenue effectively and accountably. We will help countries to navigate the energy transition, and to eliminate capture and corruption. Learn more about our areas of focus:
GETTING A GOOD DEAL
Objective
Licensing and fiscal systems are transparent, fair and help countries maximize the revenues available for development spending.
MANAGING REVENUES
Objective
Extractive sector revenues are managed in ways that serve long-term public interest and the economic sustainability of public finances, rather than short-term political or private agendas.
NAVIGATING THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Objective
Resource-rich countries advance rather than hinder the transition to cleaner energy. Countries rich in minerals critical to renewable energy do not replicate mis-governance in that subsector.
ADDRESSING CORRUPTION AND STATE CAPTURE
Objective
Governments and companies conduct sector operations in ways that reduce opportunities for corruption and capture, and anticorruption actors tackle extractive sector corruption more effectively.
Where we work
NRGI works in countries where government actors are open to reform and where accountability actors can inform and support change. Our in-country presence in multiple resource-rich countries enables us to rapidly respond to needs and opportunities.
NRGI’s country programs span five regions and a range of political, socioeconomic and developmental contexts. We are responsive to local circumstances and agendas, leveraging this diversity for learning and sharing lessons across our programs and with the wider resource governance field. We work in a limited number of countries because addressing complex governance challenges requires sustained, in-depth engagement.
How we bring about change
NRGI works to influence governments who lead the management of resources on behalf of citizens. At the international and national levels we focus on incentives that accelerate reform and mitigate disincentives that obstruct change.
Empowering agents of change
Collective action in resource-rich countries—when civil society actors, policymakers and media work collaboratively—is the key to achieving and sustaining policy reform. We help those who lack information, access and capacity, and we build trust between actors.
Leveraging international influencers
NRGI multiplies its impact by working with influential states, regional bodies, multilateral organizations, multi-stakeholder initiatives and industry actors to develop international norms and governance standards.
Improving the lives of citizens
When governments implement policy reforms that are evidence-based and reflect informed public dialogue, they enable a more sustainable and resilient future.
Why NRGI?
NRGI blends a targeted focus on resource-rich countries with a responsive approach to seizing reform opportunities. The challenges we seek to address are large and complex, so we work in partnership to amplify and leverage the work of others. To sustain reform beyond our interventions, we identify and empower change agents inside and outside of government. We have processes for learning and adaptation, to ensure our continued relevance, responsiveness and impact.
What people say about NRGI
The coming move to a lower carbon economy will pose challenges for both energy-producing and energy-consuming countries. Managing them will require rigorous policy analysis and partnerships between governments, civil society, industry and other stakeholders. With its pre-eminence in evidence-based research and the strong partnerships it has developed over the years, NRGI is uniquely positioned to meet these complex challenges.
Alan Detheridge, NRGI board member and former vice-president for external affairs at Royal Dutch Shell
NRGI has great team members who want to engage, share ideas, learn and look for shared opportunities to move the needle.
Quote from anonymous stakeholder surveys and independent evaluations
NRGI combines high quality research that is relevant to local advocacy and policy needs together with international experience.
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NRGI recognizes that the mining industry is critical to modern life but that there are changes that the industry can make that will help to reduce its negative impacts. NRGI also gives the impression that it is open to learning from industry in a way that other NGOs do not. This builds trust and makes for a more open conversation.
Quote from anonymous stakeholder surveys and independent evaluations
Strategic influencers appear predisposed to receive and adopt NRGI’s evidence-based messaging and this creates a potential multiplier effect.
Quote from anonymous stakeholder surveys and independent evaluations
NRGI improves stakeholders’ education and engagement by sharing international best practices on revenue management in the extractive sector.
Quote from anonymous stakeholder surveys and independent evaluations