Today we publish our latest impact story, focused on how several members from across the country have used social accountability to drive more inclusive spaces, while also driving long-term institutional change with a variety of stakeholders. 

Social accountability are actions in which local residents – directly or through civil society, media and academia — use public infrastructure information to hold decision-makers to account and ensure infrastructure meets local needs. It is a vital aspect of the CoST approach, combined with data publication and independent review, and multi-stakeholder working. 

Since 2019, members have engaged with over 22,000 people across 685 events, trained over 5,000 civil society activities and journalists, and highlighted important infrastructure issues through almost 400 media appearances. 

Panama has used social accountability to embed practical tools and training in academia, supporting nationally significant developments. Jalisco, Mexico has also worked with academia – leading to important improvements on their data platform, and leading to a new law to institutionalise independent citizen participation. Sekondi-Takoradi’s in Ghana has worked closely with media and civil society which has led to essential changes in education, healthcare and disability-friendly services. Meanwhile Malawi’s award-winning ‘red flag’ tool for citizens has allowed a two-way process with public records, and their work on media accountability has triggered corrective government action. Alongside this, Ecuador’s work has helped to restore public trust, increase technical support and improve communications in the face of corruption scandals. 

The work of several countries, and this impact story, provides key lessons for anyone interested in better understanding, or applying social accountability.This includes how social accountability:

• improves infrastructure quality and usability; 
• drives long-term governance reform; 
• strengthens and rebuilds trust after a crisis; 
• can be used with other aspects of the CoST approach, like data publication, to drive public participation; 
• provides an adaptable and scalable model. 

This impact story – available in English and Spanish – accompanies recent impact stories focused on our members across the globe, including Indonesia. These stories support any region to learn more about the practical application of participation, accountability and transparency in public infrastructure.