Day 4

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Day 4

Technical Sessions - 3Social Accountability Tools

Dr. Gopakumar Thampi. SDC/ACC Workshop. Thimphu, August 20-23, 2013

ELEMENTS OF A STRATEGY

Implementing & Advocating Social Accountability


Advocacy ????

Effecting changes in Policy & Practice By organising Public Opinion & Participation Through influencing Policy Makers &

Implementers In favour of larger public interests Using democratic Means

3Dr. Gopakumar Thampi. SDC/ACC Workshop. Thimphu, August 20-23, 2013

“We should not become victims of the ‘techniques’ & ‘tools’ by

forgetting crucial aspects like context, politics, representation &

inclusion?”


Positioning a Strategy

• Demanding Accountability: Focus on Rights & Entitlements, contested engagement, ‘push for reforms’, Government seen as an ‘opponent’.

• Negotiating Accountability: Focus on multi stakeholder engagement, constructive engagement, incremental changes, Government seen as a ‘partner’


‘Rude’ Accountability…

SAT

Building Political

Intelligence

Choosing the Tools

Locating Entry Points

MonitoringImpact

NegotiatingPolitics


1. Building Political Intelligence

Context matters for outcomes Tools and their politics Political Economy Analysis

- Institutional analysis

- Power Analysis

- Social Analysis

- Economic Analysis


Frameworks for PEALevels of Analysis Tools

Macro / Country • Drivers of Change (DFID)• Power Analysis (SIDA)• National Integrity System Assessments (TI)• GAP Analysis (UNAC)

Meso/Sector • Sector Governance Analysis Framework (EC)• Sector Risk Analysis (WB)• Value Chain Analysis

Micro/Project • Stakeholder Interest-Influence Matrix• Force Field Analysis• Tool based – Critical ‘8’


Checking the Context for Social Accountability

A Checklist


2

34

1

56

7

8

Ability to Voice

ExperiencesEase of

Implementation

Easy to Repeat

Quality of Media

Constructive Engagement

Political Setting

Decentralization

Ability to mobilize

stakeholders

The Critical ‘8’


1. Political Context – How would the political actors react to SA tools?

2. Decentralization – Do local governments have reasonable powers to reform the services assessed by the SA tools?

3. Ability to mobilize stakeholders – How easy or difficult is to mobilize key stakeholders to participate?

4. Citizens Ability to Voice Experience – Do citizens feel free to give honest feedback about government services?

5. Ease of Implementation– How easy is to get local resources to implement SA tools?

6. Quality of media – Is the media independent? Do they cover issues related to public services? Will they cover findings and present them in an unbiased manner?

7. Quick Wins–How easy is it demonstrate immediate results?

8. Constructive Engagement: Does the tool have clear incentives for service providers? Does the methodology have scope for a positive engagement with the local government?


DISCUSS & SCORE (1-10)

Criterion SCORE REASON

Political setting

Decentralization

Ability to mobilize stakeholders

Ability to Voice Experiences openly

Ease of implementation

Quality of Media

Quick-wins

Constructive Engagement


Power & Risk Analysis

Designing Stakeholder Analysis & Impact Matrix


WHO IS A STAKEHOLDER?

ANYONE – a Group, an Organization or an Individual - who is affected by, or can

influence any decision or action related to the SA intervention


How to Carry Out a Stakeholder Analysis?

A Strategic Approach


The Process..

Identify & List all potential stakeholdersEstimate Attitude & Interest

++ strongly in favour+ weakly in favour0 indifferent or neutral- weakly opposed--strongly opposed


An ExampleStakeholder Reasons Interest

1. Public Better ServicesLower conflictsLesser Income leakages

++++++

2. Urban Poor Better ServiceSocial Inclusion

++++

3. Local Elite Maintaining Power Base -

4. Local Officials Better relations with publicMore responsibilityPolitical insulation

+-0

5. Advocacy NGO Improved accountability in public servicesEnsuring rights

++


How to Design an Impact Matrix?

A Strategic Approach


Mapping Influence & Importance

20

High InfluenceLow Influence

High Importance

Low Importance

Citizens ++


2. Choosing the ‘Tool’


Political Context

Character & Methodology of the tool

Context & Timing

Risks & Opportunities

Choosing the Tool…(1)Field of Enquiry Suggested ToolQuick Assessments on Compliance – Access, Coverage, Achievements

FGDs, Surveys

Estimates, Extrapolations, Trends, Predictions Surveys, CRC, PETS

Estimates of Corruption, Leakages Public Hearings, CRC, PETS

Problem Solving, Grievance Redress CSC, CRC, Public Hearings

Process Monitoring – behavior of personnel, quality of services, regularity, reliability

CRC, CSC, PETS

Outcome Monitoring – errors of inclusion/exclusion, Vulnerabilities

CRC, CSC, FGDs

Empowerment, Social Mobilization CSC, FGDs, Public Hearings


Choosing the Tool…(2)Action Focus Suggested ToolDiagnosis – Understanding the issue better CRC, PETS, Surveys

Analysis – Exploring the issue deep CSC, FGDs

Mobilizing & Engaging with Constituencies CSC, Public Hearing

Policy Reforms CRC, PETS

Local Level Service Reforms CRC, CSC

Enhancing Accountability & Responsiveness at local levels

CSC, Public Hearings

Rights based advocacy CSC, FGDs, Public Hearings


Choosing the Tool…(3)Tool Time Frame Competencies

Citizen Report Cards Medium – Long (3-6 months)

Research, Survey & Analysis, Advocacy

Community Score Card

Short (1-4 days)

Moderation, Institutional links

Focus Group Discussions

Short –Medium (10 -30 days)

Moderation, Content Analysis

PETS Medium to long (6 months – 1 year)

Institutional Links, Research, Survey & Analysis


Some Insights…

Tools differ widely in methodology & application

Questions, Context & Competencies should define tool selection

New skill sets & competencies required Need for protocols – the dangers of

‘adaptation’


3. Locating Entry Points

Positioning the tool/approach

Building strategic partnerships

Credibility of the proponent

Building new / complementary competencies


4. Monitoring Impact

Need to develop process, intermediate & longitudinal indicators

Some critical aspects:

- Extent of multi stakeholder engagement

- Width & depth of community involvement

- Duration of involvement


5. Negotiating Politics

Trust deficits on both state & CS

Legacy of working with Executive Champions


Documents

Day 4