Participatory Monitoring and Accountability and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Learning Report of the Participate Network

Abstract

Accountability describes the rights and responsibilities that exist between people and the institutions that affect their lives, including government, civil society and the private sector. Relationships of power and authority are central to how accountability is experienced. Where governance processes lack openness and engagement with the public, trust diminishes and societies can fracture. This report is intended as a learning document, both to record key lessons and important insights from Participate’s Participatory Monitoring and Accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) work, and to prompt and encourage future learning and inquiry for any other organisations using participatory approaches to contribute to transformation and social justice. The Participatory Monitoring and Accountability for the SDGs programme was funded by the government of South Korea, and supported by UNICEF. Three pilot projects were conducted in: Egypt (Centre for Development Services, CDS); Ghana (Radio Ada, Ghana Community Radio Network GCRN), and ASSWA; and South Africa (Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, SLF) and the Delft Safety Group.