Blurred lines between Downward and Public accountability

Celestine KrössschellTeam leader „Governance and

Peace“

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation

DSA Conference 3rd Nov 2012

Why are we interested in Accountability?Discussion on Human Rights Based Approach

Human Rights as core of our Organisational Strategy

Balancing upward (to donors) with downward accountability

Two ways

1.Downward accountability; accountability to those affected by HELVETAS programmes and projects

2.Public or social accountability; promoting accountability of the State towards its citizens

Challenges encountered

• Not so clear cut, both needed

• Working with partners, partner accountability?

• Fragile contexts

Applied Research

•Public Audit Practice in Nepal (in Trailbridge Programme)• Developed during conflict to allow continuation of work• Three public meetings: Public Hearing, Public Review, Public Audit• Mostly for Infrastructure, user committee has central role• Creates space for men and women to express their views, concerns, ask questions,

complain

•Ward Platforms in Bangladesh (in Governance Programme)

• Citizen‘s network linking communities with local government• Facilitate Ward level planning, bringing forward citizen‘s priorities• Monitoring implementation of projects, usually infrastructure• Bringing forward concerns and complaints

•Local councils in Mozambique (in Water and Governance programme)

• Linking communities to local government, representing local men and women• Capacity building of local councils to bring forward concerns of their communities, hold

government accountable• Local Governance Assessments to discuss roles and responsibilities, and performance• Radio programmes organises public debates

User committee of trail bridge

Ward platform president presenting the Ward Development plan during Ward Shava

Forum local (local council)

Some preliminary findings

• Ambigous legislation, weakness of the state, local government

• Trust, who is seen as legimitate by the concerned women and men?

• Inclusion, elite capture, co-option of elite to include the poor

• Role of (I)NGOs in promoting accountability

• INGO accountability, blurred lines

Considerations for NGO downward accountability

• Blurred lines, multiple accountabilities as part of the work

• Use of intermediary organisations, their accountabilities, risk of elite-

capture, mutual accountability, learning democratic practices

• Transparency, information sharing, clarify roles and responsibilities

• Promote spaces for information sharing, collaboration, practising

accountability

• Downward accountability to create space, understanding, practice for

public or social accountability

Thank you!