An IMF Advocacy toolkit for Organizations Based in the Arab World
Introduction to the toolkit
This toolkit is part of a three-part series designed to empower civil society organizations (CSOs), activists, and policymakers with a thorough understanding of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), its operations, and how to engage with it effectively. Each toolkit builds on the previous one, offering a structured, step-by-step approach to navigating the IMF’s complex world of policies, loans, and conditionalities. When applicable, each toolkit will also show where to find the relevant information on the IMF website.
Toolkit 1: Understanding the IMF’s Core Functions and Loan Types
This first toolkit lays the foundation by explaining the mandate of the IMF, its core functions, such as its role in economic surveillance, financial stability, and global monetary cooperation. It will also provide a detailed breakdown of the types of loans the IMF offers, including concessional and non-concessional lending, and introduce the concept of conditionality—the policy changes required by the IMF in exchange for its financial support. The aim is to equip CSOs with the knowledge to understand how these functions and loans shape a country’s economic policies and, in turn, affect its social fabric.
Toolkit 2: The IMF’s Institutional Architecture and Departments
The second toolkit will explore the internal structure and governance of the IMF, including its key departments and how decisions are made. This section will include an analytical look at the power dynamics within the IMF, especially in terms of voting rights and quota shares that influence decision-making processes. For instance, departments like the Fiscal Affairs Department play pivotal roles in shaping global financial policies, which we might have interest in unpacking. Additionally, the Strategy, Policy, and Review (SPR) Department operates as a critical, often opaque player in IMF decision-making. SPR reviews all major reports and programs to ensure alignment with the Fund’s overarching policies, exerting influence that can at times prioritize institutional objectives over country-specific nuances. Understanding these departments is crucial for knowing how to influence or monitor IMF programs, especially those that affect social spending and economic reforms in borrowing countries. This toolkit will also analyze how the IMF’s structure might limit the participation of developing countries, while advanced economies often dominate discussions.
Toolkit 3: How and When to Conduct Advocacy with the IMF
This final toolkit will focus on advocacy strategies and guide CSOs on how to effectively engage with the IMF and national governments during loan negotiations or program implementation. Building on the insights from the first two toolkits, it will offer practical advice on using IMF reports, such as Article IV consultations, as advocacy tools. It will also explore key moments in IMF processes—like loan disbursements, reviews, and conditionality monitoring—when advocacy can have the most impact. The toolkit will include examples of successful CSO engagements and highlight how to propose alternative policies that align more with social justice and human rights priorities.