Google Confidential and Proprietary 1 Information, Innovation and Accountability Opportunities and challenges Bellagio June 17, 2008 Salimah Samji

Google Confidential and Proprietary 2 Our approach Google.org hopes to leverage the information element of the accountability relationships by making regular, reliable and relevant information available in the service delivery system (by creating feedback loops). Information is: not always the weakest link in the chain of accountability not a panacea the thin end of the wedge for services and can create necessary coalitions/pressures to demand other reforms (it’s low risk)

Google Confidential and Proprietary 3 Our approach Understand the Problem and Enable Change Understand the Problem  Invest in baselines and analysis on: Service Outcomes Budget allocation and expenditures  Identify and create basic platforms (*regular data) Enable Change  Make it easier for all actors to fulfill their responsibilities New tools, innovations, evaluations, capacity  Strengthen incentives for performance/increase penalties for non-performance Dissemination efforts to stakeholders Strengthen/create user feedback mechanisms  Support an accountability “zeitgeist” Networks, platforms and media Leveraging our “systems approach” to convene all actors

Google Confidential and Proprietary 4 IE Theory of Change New and existing information made accessible Highlight disparities between needs and service levels + New and existing information made useful New tools, evidence, and analytic capacity + Stronger incentives to perform and fulfill responsibilities Dissemination and feedback loops An accountable system Expectations of quality service and responsive providers- an accountability zeitgeist Improvement in service outcomes

Google Confidential and Proprietary 5 Making information meaningful at the local level  Focus on local – district down  Comparisons across district can catalyze action.  Challenge of sustainability – how to make it regular?  How do you know it exists? – distribution/vehicles

Google Confidential and Proprietary 6

7 Making information useful  Simple tools: ASER Basic data on literacy/numeracy – raised the bait, increased debate – some states did their own surveys to disprove data  Mapping: linking information with location – where are the services? Where are the people? Where is the money? Let data to tell you a story – visualization makes it powerful. Examples:  Trendalyzer: Variance at district level. a.asp a.asp Also see:

Google Confidential and Proprietary 8 What do we know about “information”? There is no 6 point solution If you build it they will NOT come! Still very supply driven We don’t know much about demand – how do we make information salient? How do we better package existing info? how do you make it actionable? What works? In what context? What channels are used to translate information into action? (reach/vehicles) What leads to collective action and mobilization?

Google Confidential and Proprietary 9 Challenges Transparency by itself is insufficient if there is no opportunity for collective action. Specifically:  is it the correct information structure?  is the information actionable?  is information the binding constraint? Need to unpack the black box of how information translates into action.  Will depend on context, existence of civil society, external validity etc How do we understand and leverage media (print, broadcast and new alternatives like mobile phones and peer to peer networks) How do we achieve information tipping point? Are we willing to fund this over a “long-term?” Huge opportunity to learn and experiment!!