FIGO endorsement policy
Purpose
FIGO receives a substantial number of requests to endorse or otherwise provide support to a wide range of publications, research and training programmes, scientific meetings and events, and educational outputs (from this point referred to collectively as “outputs”). We receive these from member societies, individuals, partners and third-party organisations.
For FIGO, endorsing an output is a key method we can use to recognise important work from other organisations. Endorsing outputs is a strategic activity that supports FIGO’s overarching goals of enhancing quality of care, promoting best practice in obstetrics and gynaecology, and improving women’s health worldwide. Endorsement builds trust, supports education, ensures consistency in care, and strengthens FIGO’s position as a global leader in women’s health.
For those seeking endorsement of an output, FIGO endorsement offers a trustworthy and globally renowned mark of distinction that can be used to enhance credibility, increase visibility, facilitate adoption, support funding efforts, strengthen partnerships and improve marketing.
This policy outlines FIGO’s approach to endorsement. It sets out the process for applying for and receiving endorsement, including the guiding criteria used to evaluate an output for endorsement.
Scope
This policy covers all requests for FIGO endorsement (e.g. the explicit written endorsement by FIGO of an output, or the use of FIGO’s logo or name, which would signify endorsement of an output). It covers requests from member societies, partners, individuals and all other third parties.
This policy does not apply to outputs co-created with FIGO, which would usually be co-branded (equal priority given to FIGO and partner logos/brands). Please note that the use of FIGO’s logo to indicate a collaboration cannot be applied for retrospectively: an output must have FIGO’s official, Board-approved involvement from inception.
This policy does not apply to the use of membership badges by member societies. For more information about using your membership badge, please contact the FIGO Membership team.
Definitions: types of endorsement
Endorsement
What it is – “Endorsed by FIGO”. FIGO can provide endorsement to outputs that align with our mission, goals and values, and have synergies with existing FIGO workstreams, including our projects/programmes work.
What it represents – Endorsement by FIGO provides an output with almost the same status as an output produced by FIGO. Endorsement indicates that FIGO fully supports any guidance in the output and considers the output to be of high value to the global health community.
Who grants it – Endorsement must be granted by the Board of Trustees. The CEO will ensure all applications are assessed against the criteria set out in this policy, and that the relevant divisions and committees have been consulted.
How it can be used – FIGO permits the use of our name and a dedicated ‘Endorsed by FIGO’ badge (supplied by the FIGO Communications team, together with guidance on how the badge can be used). Use of FIGO’s main logo is not authorised.
Recognition
What it is – “Recognised by FIGO”. FIGO offers recognition to an output that aligns with our mission and values, but may not have synergies with existing FIGO workstreams or may be outside of FIGO’s primary goals.
What it represents – Recognition by FIGO provides an output with a trustworthy and globally renowned mark of distinction. Recognition indicates that FIGO considers the output to be of value to the global health community.
Who grants it – Recognition must be granted by the Board of Trustees. The CEO will ensure all applications are assessed against the criteria set out in this policy, and that the relevant divisions and committees have been consulted.
How can it be used – FIGO permits the use of our name and dedicated ‘recognised by FIGO’ badge (supplied by the FIGO Communications team, together with guidance on how the badge can be used). Use of FIGO’s main logo is not authorised.
Principles for granting endorsement
FIGO will only grant endorsement or recognition to high-quality, evidence-based outputs that have been evaluated by relevant FIGO subject matter experts (SMEs), including key HQ staff and leading obstetricians and gynaecologists who are members of our Divisions and Committees.
A decision on whether to grant endorsement to a specific output is independent of the applicant’s partnership or other involvement with FIGO, although such relationship would indicate that our mission, goals and values are likely to align.
FIGO’s Board of Trustees will make the final decision on all endorsement applications. The Board reserves the right to decline any application for endorsement, at its discretion, without explanation.
Acceptance criteria A: output
An application for endorsement or recognition will only be considered if the output:
- supports the mission of FIGO
- aligns and does not conflict with FIGO’s charitable objects and strategic goals
- aligns and does not conflict with FIGO’s organisational values
- aligns and does not conflict with FIGO’s published position, recommendations or guidance
- aligns and does not conflict with any of FIGO’s programmes, workstreams or events
- aligns and does not conflict with any other FIGO policy
- is beneficial to FIGO or our member societies
- contains content of a very high standard that is relevant to women’s health and rights
- has been developed with appropriate specialty involvement, including OBGYNs
- will not breach any law, regulation, or current guidance from the UK Charity Commission.
Acceptance criteria B: applicant organisation
An application for endorsement or recognition will only be considered if the individual or organisation applying for endorsement:
- is a reputable not-for-profit organisation
- defines what is expected from FIGO and what FIGO can expect in return
- can provide information about marketing and sponsorship of the output and their organisation
- Is not a political party or political candidate
- is not applying for endorsement of their entire organisation
- is not applying for endorsement of commercial products (not including events).
Acceptance criteria C: additional information for events
For endorsement applications for events, in addition to the above criteria, the application will only be considered if:
- FIGO has had direct and substantial involvement in the event’s development – at least one member of the event’s organising committee is a volunteer of FIGO and a FIGO trustee is a member of the event’s scientific or organising committees. Any FIGO volunteer involved in the event’s development – including Trustees – cannot be involved in the assessment and decision-making process of endorsement.
- Agreement is reached between FIGO and the event owners for a share of all income derived from the event (typically 10% of total registration income and up to 15% of the total sponsorship and exhibition income). The final proportion will be determined by trustees, who can exercise the option not to levy any charges.
- FIGO member societies are offered some benefit; for example, a discounted fee to attend.
- For an event held by a FIGO member society, that the society is not in arrears with their membership fees.
Application and approval process for FIGO endorsement
Overview of process
The decisions of the Board of Trustees will be communicated to applicants usually within 8 weeks of the submission of a complete endorsement application form.
The application form shall be considered complete after FIGO has received all necessary information from the applicant to make an informed decision. This may require the applicant to liaise with FIGO to supply additional information after the initial application has been made.
Step 1: Application for endorsement is submitted
Application for endorsement is completed by the individual or organisation seeking endorsement. The basic form (Application form A) covers essential information, such as the applying organisation’s values and the output’s purpose.
The endorsement application form A must be submitted to the FIGO Communications team via email to [email protected].
Step 2: HQ reviews application (1–2 weeks)
Application form is reviewed by the Head of Communications, in liaison with other HQ staff as required. If the information provided by the applying individual or organisation in Step 1 is insufficient for a preliminary decision to be made, the Head of Communications will contact the applying organisation to request further information (see Step 2.1).
The application is reviewed against two sets of criteria:
- Assessment form A: Review against restriction criteria
- The Head of Comms must add a response to each question in the column entitled “Yes/No”, adding “Evidence” in the form of hyperlinks – these can be URLs to external content, or files saved on FIGO SharePoint. If the answer is yes to any of the questions in Part A, the endorsement application must be declined. There are no exceptions.
- The Head of Comms must add a response to each question in the column entitled “Yes/No”, adding “Evidence” in the form of hyperlinks – these can be URLs to external content, or files saved on FIGO SharePoint. If the answer is yes to any of the questions in Part A, the endorsement application must be declined. There are no exceptions.
- Assessment form B: Review against assessment criteria – alignment with FIGO
- If the output is an event, the Head of Comms must share the application with the Senior Event Manager for feedback and to agree recommendations.
- If the output is related to programme portfolios or themes, the Head of Comms must share the application with the Head of Programmes Development for feedback and to agree recommendations.
- If the output is a publication, the Head of Comms must share the application with the Head of Publishing and Committees for feedback and to agree recommendations.
If the endorsement application is for an event, a third set of criteria must be considered.
- Assessment form C: event applications only.
- The Head of Comms and Senior Event Manager must review the application against the standards FIGO sets for its own events
Step 2.1: HQ requests additional information for review
If the information provided by the applying individual or organisation in Step 1 is insufficient for a preliminary decision to be made, the Head of Comms will contact the applying organisation to request further information.
In this case, the applicant will be required to complete Application form B to provide additional information relating to the organisation and output. If applying for an endorsement of an event, Application form C is compulsory.
Step 3: SME review and recommendation (2–3 weeks)
The Head of Comms will compile a recommendation and share it with relevant subject matter experts (SMEs) for further review and recommendation.
The SMEs selected will vary depending on the type and focus of the output. For example, if the endorsement is for a publication about a specific committee subspecialty, that committee will be contacted.
SMEs are asked to complete Assessment form D (and Assessment form E for events) to provide the evidence and rationale for their formal recommendation.
Step 4: CEO and BOT decision (2–4 weeks)
The Head of Comms sends the formal recommendation to the CEO for review and approval of the recommendation.
If the CEO approves the recommendation, it is passed to the Board of Trustees for review and approval or feedback. If the CEO requests further information, this will be sought by the Head of Comms, in liaison with relevant staff members and volunteers.
Step 5: Subsequent HQ actions
If endorsement is approved by the CEO and Board of Trustees, the FIGO Communications team will liaise with the applicants to provide the appropriate endorsement or recognition badges, and clearly set out any conditions or feedback provided by FIGO HQ, SMEs, CEO or Board of Trustees. The decision will be formally recorded by FIGO HQ.
FIGO HQ will provide guidance on how to use endorsement badges, the appropriate form of words that may be used, and will support the applicant in applying FIGO branding.
For events where a share of profit has been agreed, FIGO will issue an MOU for agreement between both parties, which sets out the terms and conditions for the use of FIGO endorsement and the agreed level of profit share. The MOU must be signed by both parties before endorsement is formalised and the badge is shared.
If the application for endorsement is declined, the FIGO Communications team will write to the applicant to inform them of the decision.
Expiry or withdrawal of endorsement
Endorsement by FIGO is valid as of the formal approval date indicated in FIGO’s endorsement confirmation email, for a maximum of three years. The date of expiry shall be included in the endorsement confirmation email.
Endorsement only applies to the current version of any individual output. All future changes or revisions to the endorsed output will require re-submission to the endorsement process, using the endorsement application form.
Some endorsement applications seek re-endorsement if an output has previously been endorsed and has since been updated or amended. In such instances, the application will be treated as a new endorsement application. FIGO policy and stance may have changed since the initial endorsement so it must be re-assessed in full. It is possible that something previously endorsed may be declined upon applying for re-endorsement.
FIGO reserves the right to withdraw endorsement at any time, without reason.
Review of policy
This policy shall be reviewed every three years by the FIGO CEO and the Board of Trustees.
All outputs, including those with existing endorsement, will be re-evaluated using this policy every three years from the date they have been endorsed.