Source description last updated: 2 November 2016, current as of 26 September 2019
 
In brief: The International Crisis Group (ICG), founded in 1995 and based in Brussels, is a transnational, independent, non-profit organization, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent, mitigate or resolve deadly conflict.
 
Coverage on ecoi.net:
Reports (SR), Articles (Media).
Covered twice per week on ecoi.net, for countries of priorities A-C.
 
Mission/Mandate/Objectives:
The International Crisis Group’s mission is „to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world.“ (International Crisis Group website: Who We Are, undated)
 
„On a daily basis, our work informs policy discussions, highlights opportunities for effective early action, guides media coverage and draws attention to under-reported conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. “ (International Crisis Group website: Our Impact, undated)
 
„Crisis Group works to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the world by informing and influencing the perceptions and actions of policymakers and other key conflict actors. To this end, we endeavour to talk to all sides and provide expert, independent field-centred research, analysis and policy engagement.“ (International Crisis Group website: Strategic Framework 2016–2018, 23 October 2015)
 
ICG’s mission states „We build support for the good governance and inclusive politics that enable societies to flourish. [...] We engage directly with a range of conflict actors to seek and share information, and to encourage intelligent action for peace. [...] Crisis Group aspires to be the preeminent organisation providing independent analysis and advice on how to prevent, resolve or better manage deadly conflict.“ (International Crisis Group website: Who We Are, undated)
 
„Crisis Group recognises that saving lives is the central goal of all efforts to prevent, transform and resolve deadly conflict and that dialogue and negotiation, more inclusive politics, the better provision of basic public goods and services, and representative and accountable institutions that uphold human rights and the rule of law are constituent elements of a lasting peace.
It is committed to its independence; research that is expert; meticulous and inclusive of all conflict stakeholders, impartiality, balance, and timeliness in its analysis and reporting; bold, principled and practical policy prescriptions; persuasive and credible engagement with decision-makers; collaboration with partners where appropriate; bucking orthodoxy when required; vigorous, imaginative and sophisticated media outreach; rigour and transparency in everything it does; staying the course“ (International Crisis Group website: Strategic Framework 2016–2018, 23 October 2015)
 
Funding:
Crisis Group is funded by governments, foundations, individuals and corporations. Their income consists largely of governmental funding and funding by individuals & corporations, but also of foundations and program services. (ICG website: Financials, no date)
 
Their total, unrestricted revenue of 2015 added up to $17,990,754. (ICG website: Financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015, 2015)
 
Scope of reporting:
Geographic focus: All countries worldwide
Thematic focus: Peace and justice, violence, international conflicts and war, politics and government, migration, environmental issues, international terrorism, human rights, democratisation
 
Methodology:
“Based on information and assessments from the field, ICG produces regular analytical reports containing practical recommendations targeted at key international decision-takers.” (Refworld website: International Crisis Group (ICG), undated)
 
“Crisis Group aspires to be the preeminent organisation providing independent analysis and advice on how to prevent, resolve or better manage deadly conflict. We combine expert fieldbased research, analysis and engagement with policymakers across the world and seek to effect change in the crisis situations on which we work. We endeavour to talk to all sides and in doing so to build on our role as a trusted source of field-researched information, fresh perspectives and advice for conflict parties and external actors.” (International Crisis Group website: Who We Are, undated)
 
 “ICG reports contain numerous references to interviews with government representatives, political parties, armed groups, the military, international and local human rights organizations, and local media.” (ACCORD: Researching Country of Origin Information - A Training Manual, April 2004 (updated April 2006), Annex, p. 14)
 
“Crisis Group’s methodology is evolving to respond to the changing demands of today’s world. It must systematically integrate the national, transnational, regional and global dimensions of increasingly multi-dimensional conflicts, and our advocacy evolve accordingly. Prioritisation is critical to our ability to focus resources and effort on those issues where we are best placed to make a difference and to promote consistent and transparent decision-making on significant new activities and expenditures. Priorities are set within particular conflicts or country situations, within our regional programs, and across the organisation. They are identified in our annual workplan, but revisited and revised on a rolling basis.” (International Crisis Group website: Strategic Framework 2016-2018, 23 October 2015)
 
Their focus lies on “expert field research and analysis. […] Our analysts are based in or near many of the world’s trouble spots, where there is concern about the possible outbreak of conflict, its escalation or recurrence. [...] They talk (to the extent possible) to all parties, find out what is happening and why, and research, as they do so, the best possible policies to address it. (International Crisis Group website: Strategic Framework 2016-2018, 23 October 2015)
 
Language(s) of publications:
All reports are published in English. Additionally, they are usually also published in the national language of the country reported on.
 
Further reading / links:
Hazeldine, Tom: The North Atlantic Counsel: Complicity of the International Crisis Group, May–June 2010
https://newleftreview.org/II/63/tom-hazeldine-the-north-atlantic-counsel
 
The International Crisis Group: The Role of a Global NGO in Preventing and Resolving Deadly Conflict, Gareth Evans, 17 May 2012
http://www.gevans.org/speeches/speech471.html
 
All links accessed 6 October 2016.