Fundamentals of Social Accountability

Introduction

The activities within this theme aim at increasing the understanding and knowledge of social accountability of both state and non state actors in Cambodia. Capacity building is offered through two types of events: a) Interactive workshops on the fundamentals of Social Accountability. The targeted audience for the workshops will be: national-level officials that are directly or indirectly involved in the DFGG program; provincial-level officials; representatives of provincial line departments; and non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and b) Field-based advanced introduction. A limited number of national level officials will further deepen their understanding of social accountability through a series of field visits to social accountability and good governance initiatives.

Expected output and outcomes

Outcome

More favorable environment and a broader platform of state and non-state actors that are willing to engage in the implementation of social accountability and good governance projects.

Output

DFGG implementing agency staff, relevant government sub-national authorities, and members of civil society have improved their understanding of central concepts of social accountability and good governance.

Event 1 - Workshop on Fundamentals of Social Accountability

The two day and a half day training course on "Fundamentals of Social Accountability" will deliver an overview of central concepts of social accountability and good governance, and will introduce several commonly-used social accountability tools.

The workshops are going to be interactive in nature to stimulate the sharing of ideas, opinions, and experiences of the participants. Shorter lectures will be mixed with a variety of participatory methods during the workshop, such as small group work, brainstorming and role plays.

The specific themes covered in the course include:

A. Understanding social accountability

- Definition of social accountability
- Essential elements of social accountability
- Why is social accountability important?
- Important factors for success

B. Understanding good governance

- Definition of governance
- Principles of good governance
- Perspectives on democratic governance
- What is local governance?
- Perspectives on decentralization

C. Links between social accountability and good governance

- Good governance, social accountability, and decentralization
- Roles of social accountability in decentralization

D. Citizen participation

- Understanding civil society
- People's Empowerment
- Citizenship, participation, and accountability

E. Introduction of social accountability tools

- Participatory planning
- Citizen Report Card (CRC)
- Social audit
- Community Score Card (CSC)
- Public meeting
- Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
- Public hearing
- Local dispute resolution
- Procurement monitoring

Target Audience

Target groups for the workshops are:

• Staff of DFGG implementing agencies with responsibility for DFGG program design, implementation, and monitoring, including the Ministry of Interior/PCO, NCDD, the Arbitration Council, and the Non-State Actor Component; and staff of state institutions in relation to DFGG project e.g. the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport;
• Provincial level officials, such as deputy provincial governors, chiefs of provincial cabinet, and chiefs of provincial administration;
• Representatives of provincial line departments that either are involved in the DFGG project or may contribute to the effective implementation of the different components of the DFGG project; and
• Civil society organizations, including NSAC grantees (that seeks constructive engagement with the government)

The workshops will reach a total of 105 participants through three different sessions, each with 35 participants. Selection of participants will be undertaken jointly by The Asia Foundation and the PCO, with the Foundation taking the lead on civil society participants and the PCO taking the lead on selecting government participants.

The Foundation will work closely with the Communications team at the PCO to design broader public outreach around the training course.

Event 2 - Field based advanced introduction

For deeper understanding of the practical work associated with social accountability initiatives, a sub-group of up to eight workshop participants drawn from DFGG implementing agencies and the PCO will take part in a field-based advanced introduction to social accountability that builds on the introductory workshop. This will include field visits to several good governance and social accountability initiatives in Cambodia, as well as follow-up by participants that will be integrated with the communications and outreach initiatives of the learning component. The duration of the field trips is estimated to two days, but may vary depending on traveling distance and the set up of the particular event/s that are being visited. The field visits will be mainly (but not necessarily solely) focused on implementation of social accountability tools under Component 2 (NSAC) of the DFGG program

Target Audience

Target group for the field visits is:

- Staff of DFGG implementing agencies with responsibility for DFGG program design, implementation, and monitoring

The total number of participants in the field visits is estimated to between 5 and 8. Selection of participants will be undertaken jointly by The Asia Foundation and the PCO.