Using Evidence to establish Accountability

Abstract

The purpose of this book is to draw together some key ideas about democratic accountability: about how to recognise it, engage with it, build it and use it to improve peoples’ lives. The core assumption is that civil society organizations (CSOs) have an essential role to play in creating and monitoring accountability in their countries. Doing accountability work is not necessarily a brand new undertaking for CSOs. Many organisations already work to strengthen just and democratic governance through community development, public education, advocacy and other projects. This Sourcebook suggests that we can enhance our impact further by taking a good look at accountability. This might mean venturing deeper into the governance terrain than before, or exploring new pathways to trigger the changes we hope to see. On these pages, you will find a conceptual map and some practical travel tips for adding an accountability dimension to your work.