There is a wide range of social accountability tools and approaches. They can support the process of increasing transparency in service delivery, disseminating knowledge and raising awareness about water governance issues, in addition to opening up paths for participation of affected stakeholders. As such, they support the increase of water integrity in all initiatives where they are applied even though their end impact on corruption levels and sustainability of water systems is highly context-dependent and should be considered with care.
Here are a few examples of cases from the water sector worldwide where social accountability mechanisms have been used.
Do you have more experience that could help us better understand how social accountability works to improve integrity? Share your story with us!
Participatory project planning and management
An introduction to the World Bank Action Learning approach, as applied in the water sector in Oaxaca, Mexico:
The empowered grass-roots organizations in Peru and Ecuador holding authorities to account for water:
An examination of how Community-Managed Water Boards take integrity at heart in Central America:
The joint development of the Mombasa Water Improvement Pact by a utility and its users:
How citizens are taking the lead in monitoring service in Kampala slums:
Public scrutiny processes
An AWIS application on water supply services in Kenya, or how to discuss sensitive topics in a constructive manner:
An AWIS application on WASH in public schools in India:
How a group of citizens in the Sibagat province in the Philippines is monitoring the finances of water projects:
User surveys
A CRC application in Nepal:
A CRC application in Kenya:
Complaint mechanisms
How water action groups in Kenya act as a link between water service suppliers and users
User representation mechanisms
How water clubs in rural Tanzania have supported the long-term sustainability of rain-water tank systems:
The citizen directors at a utility in Bolivia:
Coming soon: more cases from Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia, Mexico, Honduras, India…