Voice, eyes, and ears - social accountability in Latin America : case studies on mechanisms of participatory monitoring and evaluation

The report compiles case studies on the monitoring of, and the use public of information, of public works, and evaluation of services, of public policy, of public budgets, and, of social mobilization as it regards social accountability in Latin America. The region has been witness to the emergence of a number of experiences in social accountability, in which citizens play an important role in the definition, monitoring and evaluation of government activities. This growing level of citizen participation, accompanied by a marked process of democratization, including the lack of confidence in the institutions controlled by the State, produced a range of experiences of varied importance. Such experience is reflected in the strategy of the Bank for engaging with civil society, which focuses on the empowerment of the poor, and the promotion of social accountability mechanisms. Of special interest has been the development of social control mechanisms, that support strategies, policies, and concrete actions to reduce poverty. The challenges that remain specify the need to build capacities, to ensure greater sustainability of innovative experiences, and, to promote greater accountability.