A course in Social Accountability is currently being launched by WBI, PRMPR, and SDV. The first pilot launch was on Janury 25th and the course will be offered again duirng ESSD week, at the end of March.
The course is being offered to Bank staff who carry out analytical work, prepare Country Assistance Strategies, support PRSPs, and prepare and supervise lending operations that address issues of decentralization and local governance. They will include staff from all the Bank networks including country economists, sector specialists, and financial management staff.
At the bottom of the page, please find course materials.
Overview
Achieving the potential benefits of decentralization requires effective accountability mechanisms -- to local citizens, bureaucrats and higher-level governments. Traditionally, political representation and mobility were viewed as critical conditions for accountability to citizens. However, political representation is increasingly viewed as insufficient, reflecting concerns about elite capture, and weaknesses of local political processes. Mobility of local residents in developing countries is also limited.
In order to design and support more effective decentralization and local governance reform programs, this course reviews how social accountability approaches, which rely on civic engagement, can strengthen accountability. The course reviews: (i) basic concepts of social accountability -- its rationale, benefits, risks and relevance in various country contexts; (ii) common mechanisms (e.g., participatory budgeting, public expenditure tracking systems, etc.); and (iii) options for operationalizing these mechanisms into a pro-accountability strategy. Case studies from South Asia and Africa will be discussed.
For more information on attending or using this module, please contact empowerment@worldbank.org
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