Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society: Empowering Organizations and Combating Corruption

Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society: Empowering Organizations and Combating Corruption

Introduction:

The Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) project aims to contribute to greater democratic accountability of public institutions worldwide by empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) to demand systemic change in addressing accountability deficiencies and combating corruption. Over a period of 36 months, the project focuses on 21 countries that share common deficiencies in accountability and corruption, albeit with varying contexts.

Deficiencies in Accountability and Corruption:

From the supply side, deficiencies in accountability include a lack of integrity in state institutions and weaknesses in oversight bodies. This is often accompanied by a fragile rule of law, hindering the enforcement of formal laws. On the demand side, accountability initiatives led by CSOs face increasing challenges due to the shrinking civic space and exclusion of affected communities from political and budgetary processes.

Challenges Faced by SANCUS Participating Countries:

The countries participating in the SANCUS project face challenges such as clientelism networks, dark political party funding, unresolved conflicts of interest, undue influence, and misuse of state resources. Additionally, a fragile rule of law allows for diversion of public funds and abuse of power by abusive elites seeking personal economic benefits. Weak checks and balances further exacerbate the situation when political leaders deliberately limit the scope of independent supervisory institutions.

Reduced Civic Space and Lack of Public Participation:

Global indices have recorded significant declines in the health of democracies and a decreasing number of countries with "open" civic spaces. We observe a general weakening of democratic institutions and rights, as well as a reduction in the space for civil society in various parts of the world. Lack of public participation in decision-making processes further undermines accountability. Increased public participation is known to improve governance outcomes and reduce corruption, but citizens are often excluded from decision-making despite the profound impact it has on their lives.

The Problem and Theory of Change:

To address these accountability deficiencies and combat corruption, the SANCUS project empowers CSOs and citizens to engage with officials in demanding greater democratic accountability from public institutions. By utilizing various tools and methods, the project aims to enable individuals, communities, CSOs, and target institutions to identify deficiencies in democratic accountability and advocate for change. The project places significant emphasis on vertical accountability, where citizens increasingly demand their rights and monitor the performance of duty bearers. It also seeks to empower national CSOs to exert pressure on horizontal accountability mechanisms by collaborating with supervisory institutions to examine duty bearers. Digital tools play a crucial role in enhancing advocacy, monitoring, legal protection, and citizen mobilization.

Expected Impact:

The support provided by SANCUS to CSOs is expected to strengthen democratic accountability through a range of civic participation modalities, including monitoring, consultations, and advocacy campaigns to curb corruption and rights violations. SANCUS aims to protect and expand the enabling environment for CSOs and citizens to demand accountability from duty bearers, creating more opportunities for exercising their rights. At a deeper socio-economic level, SANCUS intends to strengthen agency by incorporating informal coalitions to demand greater accountability from the government while reducing incentives and opportunities for corruption. At a political and technical level, SANCUS seeks to identify poor practices and regulatory obstacles that hinder closer engagement between officials and citizen groups. The project targets public officeholders and duty bearers to enhance long-term accountability on the supply side. The 21 participating countries' CSOs are the primary beneficiaries of the project, along with supervisory institutions whose independence and performance need to be affirmed for them to fulfill their constitutional mandates effectively. SANCUS aims to develop monitoring mechanisms and evidence that can assist these supervisory institutions in improving their methodologies and protocols.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Foster Collaboration: CSOs should actively collaborate within the SANCUS network and other spaces to address their specific needs and limitations. By leveraging the knowledge, skills, and resources of their peers, CSOs can strengthen their advocacy efforts and increase their impact.

• 2. Harness Digital Tools: CSOs should embrace digital tools to enhance their defense, monitoring, legal protection, and citizen mobilization capabilities. Utilizing digital platforms can facilitate access to information, improve communication, and maximize the potential for accountability.

• 3. Promote Public Participation: CSOs should work towards increasing public participation in decision-making processes. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and advocating for inclusive governance practices. By empowering citizens to participate, CSOs can amplify their demands for accountability and foster a culture of transparency.

Conclusion:

The SANCUS project's goal is to empower CSOs and citizens to demand greater democratic accountability from public institutions and combat corruption. By addressing deficiencies in accountability, leveraging digital tools, and promoting public participation, CSOs can play a pivotal role in strengthening accountability networks among civil society. Through collaboration, innovation, and active engagement, CSOs can drive systemic change and contribute to a more accountable and transparent democratic landscape.