Accountability: Approaches and tools Rameshwor Bhandari Tara Prasad Kharel NASC

Session Objectives At the end of the session the participants will be able to: Explain the importance of being accountable Describe the approaches of accountability Develop linkages between accountability and public service delivery Explain the tools of social accountability

“Ethics are as important for the Public Servant as blood for the body” - Unknown

What is Accountability? Accountability means that individuals are responsible for their actions and maybe asked to justify them Can be defined as the obligation of power- holders to account for or take responsibility for their actions Government organisations, administrators are accountable to citizens, users of public services and the law

Pillars of Accountability

Group Activity: Case Studies Work in groups, on different levels. Draw a picture on flip chart to show characteristics of “absent accountability” - using examples from the case study. Discuss - What are the responsibilities of the service providers? Discuss – What could be done to solve the problem? You have 15 minutes for group work & 3 minutes for presentation for each group.

Importance of Being Accountable (Key Learning points from case study) Citizens are entitled to receive public services and have rights to hold civil servants accountable. The human cost of unaccountable governance is manifolds higher (especially to WPEs) than the economic cost. A single person can make the difference if he/she holds him/herself accountable. An accountable civil servant can create favourable environment to promote accountability. The poor and disadvantaged tend to have less ability to influence the quality of services,

Importance of Accountability Better governance Effective and Efficient public service delivery Engaging citizens Ensuring rights of WPE Empowering WPEs

Government Officials/power holders are responsible for Their conduct - they must obey the law and not abuse their powers. Their performance - they must serve the public interest in an efficient, effective and fair manner. “All states have some form of mechanisms to promote or ensure accountability of public actors for effective PSD”

Horizontal and Vertical accountability

Approaches of Accountability Individual: ethical, personal obligation Collective: civil society, informal group, community Institutional: political, administrative, legal

Demand and Supply of Public (Service) Accountability Citizen State (Central and Local) Intermediary CBOs Media Private sector I/NGOs Political parties Civil society Expected Citizen State (Central and Local) Intermediary CBOs Media Private sector I/NGOs Political parties Civil society Reality

Media - A part of Accountability? Increases awareness in public about their rights Alerts civil servants about their duties Monitors civil service process Creates campaigns about anti-corruption Evaluates action based on prevailing laws Plays vital role to make government and service provider accountable

Accountability to improve PSD Public Institution (Structure and system) Revisit, restructure Service Receivers (Collective Form: Society, WPEs, Community of Practice) Capacity building Service Provider (Individuals) Social Accountability Empowerment, awareness, experience sharing Improved public service delivery

Accountability Relationship Policy Makers Service Receiver Service Providers Voice Client power Service compact Indirect channel Direct channel Intermediary

An absence of accounting means an absence of accountability

The philosophy : SA The philosophy behind social accountability centers on the role of empowerment and information in enhancing government commitment and service delivery.

Social accountability tools Promote citizen's engagement Build trust towards public service providers Increase transparency & access to information Builds Standardization of public service delivery Enhances accountability and citizen oversight Video: Social Accountability Tools

Tools of Social Accountability 1. Information Tools (5) 2. Accountability and Integrity Tools (9) 3. Participatory Development Tools (7)

1.Information Tools 1 Citizen Charter 13 2 S.N. Tools Page Number 1 Citizen Charter 13 2 Check List of Entitlements (Pg 13) 18 3 Budgets of Local Bodies (VDC, DDC & Municipality) 23 4 Right to Information 27 5 Check list of Relevant Laws, Policies, Regulations that affect a Citizen's Life 32

2. Accountability and Integrity Tools S.N Tools Page Number 6 Civic Education 38 7 Public Expenditure Tracking 41 8 Check list of Standards & Indicators 45 9 Community Score Card 51 10 Citizen Report Card 55 11 Public Hearing 61 12 Public Audit 66 13 Public Revenue Monitoring 71 14 Citizen Complaint Structures 75

3. Participatory Development Tools S.N. Tools Page Number 15 Multi-stakeholder Groups 82 16 Participatory Planning 87 17 Participatory Budgeting 92 18 Community Led Procurement 97 19 Declaration of Assets 103 20 Understanding Conflict of Interest 107 21 Integrity Pact 111 Source Book: 21 Social Accountability Tools

Conclusion Obligation of state and public servants towards society and people is important Absence of accountability breaks the social contract Need to focus more on WPEs Accountability is meaningful when combined with responsiveness and integrity

Thank you