alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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In the Central American Trifinio region (comprising Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador), there are persistent challenges in providing comprehensive care to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as to vulnerable populations at risk. These challenges underscore the urgent need for coordinated, compassionate, and specialized responses that enable women and youth to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International, the Women Leading Change project has worked to strengthen inter-institutional coordination in 12 municipalities across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Alinea, together with local partner Centro de Investigación, Capacitación, Apoyo a la Mujer y Juventudes -CICAM by it’s Spanish name-, provided free psychological and legal services through the Municipal Women’s Offices, helping to drive community-based prevention, care, and support.

Through coordinated action with local governments and public institutions, the project has provided 3,869 women and youth with psychological care and legal guidance to 907 individuals for reporting various forms of violence, as of April this year.

Additionally, the project trained 171 rural women to apply community protocols for identifying and referring potential cases of gender-based and sexual violence. These women play a key role in early detection, guidance, and support within their communities.

This model is contributing to the institutionalization of essential, sustainable services within local governance structures. Our commitment continues: we move forward together for municipalities free from violence against women, youth, and Indigenous peoples.

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En la región centroamericana del Trifinio (que comprende Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador), existen retos persistentes para proporcionar atención integral a las sobrevivientes de violencia sexual y de género, así como a las poblaciones vulnerables en situación de riesgo. Estos retos ponen de relieve la urgente necesidad de respuestas coordinadas, compasivas y especializadas que permitan a las mujeres y los jóvenes reconstruir sus vidas con dignidad.

Financiado por Global Affairs Canada y ejecutado por Alinea International, el proyecto “Mujeres Líderes del Cambio” ha trabajado para fortalecer la coordinación interinstitucional en 12 municipios de El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras. Alinea, junto con su socio local, el Centro de Investigación, Capacitación, Apoyo a la Mujer y Juventudes (CICAM), prestó servicios psicológicos y jurídicos gratuitos a través de las Oficinas Municipales de la Mujer, contribuyendo a impulsar la prevención, la atención y el apoyo en la comunidad.

A través de la acción coordinada con los gobiernos locales y las instituciones públicas, el proyecto ha brindado atención psicológica a 3,869 mujeres y jóvenes y orientación jurídica a 907 personas para denunciar diversas formas de violencia, hasta abril de este año.

Además, el proyecto capacitó a 171 mujeres rurales para aplicar protocolos comunitarios de identificación y derivación de posibles casos de violencia de género y sexual. Estas mujeres desempeñan un papel fundamental en la detección temprana, la orientación y el apoyo dentro de sus comunidades.

Este modelo está contribuyendo a la institucionalización de servicios esenciales y sostenibles dentro de las estructuras de gobernanza local. Nuestro compromiso continúa: avanzamos juntos por municipios libres de violencia contra las mujeres, los jóvenes y los pueblos indígenas.