“We also know that governments who listen to, and work with, citizens can be more efficient and effective. Social accountability is the new normal in development.”
– Mario Marcel, Senior Director for the Governance Global Practice
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) has exceeded expectations since the World Bank established the program in 2012, and works to build more citizen-centric governance in developing countries through social accountability mechanisms.
- Recent contributions from donors include the Governments of Finland and the Dominican Republic, the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Aga Khan Foundation and the World Bank – and others are in the works.
- With the support of a growing group of donors and a network of over 260 global partners from civil society, government and the private sector, the GPSA is supporting 23 projects in 17 countries with a third Call for Proposals under way.
Until recently, the Government of Malawi faced difficulties tracking whether teaching and learning materials, such as textbooks, were delivered to schools in a timely manner. Monitoring teacher absenteeism – whether teachers even showed up at schools – was another serious concern.
Now with the click of a button, the Ministry of Education is receiving information about these service delivery problems in real time.
This is one example of the results that are being achieved in countries that have opted to take part in the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA), a multi-donor program set up to address the disconnect between what citizens expect and what governments do. Sometimes called “the accountability gap,” this problem might manifest as schools without roofs, poor hospital care, dilapidated roads, or inadequate water supply.
The World Bank established the GPSA in 2012 with the purpose of bridging this gap, enhancing citizens’ voice and, just as importantly, supporting the capacity of governments to respond effectively to their voice.
Discover, Explore and Learn more via The World Bank | GPSA: Bridging the Gap Between What Citizens Expect and What Governments Do
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