accountability approaches and tools Gyan Laxmi Shrestha NASC Tara Prasad Kharel NASC

Session Objectives At the end of the session the participants will be able to: Explain the concept of accountability Explain reasons why accountability is important Analyse approaches of accountability Create linkages between accountability and public service delivery Identify range of social accountability tools in practice

Session Outline Importance and implication of being accountable Approaches of accountability How accountability improves public service delivery? Accountability tools in practice

Group Activity: Case Studies Groups 1& 2 - “Fatima” Groups 3 & 4 - “District Education Officer Panchthar” In flip chart, make a poster to show characteristics of “absent accountability” - using examples from the case study. Discuss - What are the obligations of the service providers? 20 minutes for group work In flip chart, make a poster to show characteristics of “present accountability” - using examples from the case study. Discuss - What are the obligations of the service providers? 20 minutes for group work

Key Learning Points Citizens are entitled to receive public services and have rights to hold civil servants accountable. Civil servants need to be proactive even if people are unable to hold them accountable. The human cost of unaccountable governance is manifolds higher (especially to WPEs) than the economic cost.

Key Learning Points (Contd…) 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. Power dynamics, linked to socio-economic and cultural factors affect relationships between service providers, users and other actors – which in turn determines who can influence the quality of a service,

Key Learning Points (Contd…) The poor and disadvantaged tend to have less ability to influence the quality of services, The quality of services depends on the relationships between the “providers”, e.g. government, and the “user” e.g. citizens, The quality of services depends not only on supply (by providers) but also on the ability of citizens to demand services, Proactive role of state is essential for ensuring the access of WPEs on public services

What is Accountability? Is answerability, a key component of governance Is the acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for actions 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

Accountability and Obligation Every accountability relationship begins with an obligation. If there is no obligation, there is no accountability to enforce. When political candidates are elected to public office and government officials accept executive positions, they are not supposed to have free supremacy to do as they wish.

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”

An absence of accounting means an absence of accountability

Social Accountability Civic engagement in the process of making state accountable Ordinary citizens participate directly or indirectly in holding service providers to be accountable Public officials are called on to inform stakeholders and to justify to them their behavior, actions and results.

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

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 Capacity building Service Receivers (Collective Form: Society, WPEs, Community of Practice) 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

Accountability in Action 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

How can Government be more accountable to WPEs   Proper utilization of the government machinery in implementation of law and order Strong reward for carrying out exemplary work and punishment for not fulfilling duties Proper allocation of resources Internalization of system and process Support Revision and reformulation of existing laws Attitudinal change towards the issues of WPE Capacity building of government Government employees should be honest Govt. should be sensitive and responsible towards WPE 

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

Tools of Social Accountability Video

Tools of Social Accountability 1. Information Tools 2. Accountability and Integrity Tools 3. Participatory Development Tools

1.Information Tools Citizen Charter Check List of Entitlements (Citizens are alerted to the various rights and entitlements that they have through different government bodies ) Budgets of Local Bodies (VDC, DDC & Municipality) Right to Information (Citizens have the right to demand and receive information ) Check list of Relevant Laws, Policies, Regulations that affect a Citizen's Life

2. Accountability and Integrity Tools Civic Education (The value of education about civic matters, how the state works) Public Expenditure Tracking (learning of the size of the budget , how the budget is spent ) Check list of Standards & Indicators( formulated quality standards for public services) Community Score Card (can be used by both service providers and service receivers for effectiveness of public services) Citizen Report Card (How those who receive services are satisfied or dissatisfied with those services and can report this to the responsible authorities) Public Hearing Public Audit (seek transparency and accountability in regard to investment in local development projects ) Public Revenue Monitoring (monitor the income that is being received by government bodies Citizen Complaint Structures( complaints against wrong-doers )

3. Participatory Development Tools Multi-stakeholder Groups( together to achieve the common agreed objectives) Participatory Planning Participatory Budgeting Community Led Procurement (citizens role in procuring goods and services) Declaration of Assets Understanding Conflict of Interest (possible conflict between the public and personal interest) Integrity Pact (agree combined to avoid corruption)

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

Discussion Accountable government Unaccountable government

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