Citizens engagement in enforcing accountability through ICTs

Genesis Social Development NetworksThe Social Development Networks main aim is to promote and facilitate effective strategic alliances among members and interested groups. Est. As a network, SODNETs mandate is anchored on the need to restore the institutional integrity and civic sovereignty of the social sector. human personINFONET was an inspired in 2007 based on the need to create convergences on actions that are critical to the development of the human person: Self Funded, private donors, partners with organizations, technology firms

Off-the shelf tools Online Budget Tool Mobile Tools

ICT enhanced collaborative platform for budget tracking, knowledge sharing. It provides communities (especially rural and urban poor) with the possibility of monitoring of the central government, parliamentarians and local authorities performance: on budget expenditure and disbursements and service delivery. Offers government, parliamentarians and local authorities, a feedback avenue on their performance from the citizenry.

Enables citizens anyone to search different projects funds

Constituency demographic information e.g. popl, schools, hospitals etc

Funds type and allocations summaries

Report a problem ! – fix my constituency, ward etc

Report a problem ! – process

Report a problem ! – process Cont.

Off-the shelf tools

Groups can report on anomalies or incidences of corruption (photos, text, videos etc);Groups can report on anomalies or incidences of corruption (photos, text, videos etc);

Currently, the project looks at monitoring the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF), Youth Enterprise & Development Fund and Economic Stimulus Package (ESP). Citizens: Contribute on projects, anonymous reporting on corruption, gain information on process towards budget making Civil society: Report on corruption, solidarity, networking and institutional strengthening Leaders/FCs: Possibility of feedback, dialogue with citizens and lobby groups. Researchers: Analysis on devolution of funds, knowledge and memory on best practices from projects. Development partners/investors: Pertinent information on viable projects;

SMS / HTTP Mobile Platform

Who's it for: FrontlineSMS is a laptop or PC-based software application used for sending and receiving group SMS messages. It does not require an internet connection and works with any GSM network. Investment required:Specs: FrontlineSMS requires a computer and a mobile phone or GSM modem. The software is free. Costs incurred is Mobile carrier SMS Cost. Installing FrontlineSMS is very quick - on Windows machines the process is fully automated and should complete in around two minutes. FrontlineSMS allows NGOs to run awareness raising campaigns, competitions or carry out text-based surveys, or to simply keep in touch with fieldworkers and supporters.

Observations based on experience: Ideological choices: Modernize or Westernize (Ctrl-C/V?)? Leverage on existing practices / technology and up- scaling or create from scratch; Further.. political choice Vs political will (Mwatate). If its not illegal, it should be done! Emphasis on the common person: encourage empowerment of citizens to act on their own & improve the universal quality of the human condition. Africa realities-Paradigm shift Vs common sense? – larger systemic issues - Economic & Democratic Governance irony, globalization, liberalization, market forces, trade barriers (EPAs), WTO regulations; Address emerging contradictions on ICTs and its impact on livelihoods – Access, content, priorities over other basic needs – enoughness.

Observations based on experience: Effect synergies that promote collective responsibility and commonalty of purpose amongst Govt, Private Sector, CSOs and Communities; Challenging the paradigms and notions of development and progress, research methodologies (objective realities and subjective contexts- place for narrative), spaces for other worldviews (especially on indicators e.g. measuring poverty. Ownership, access and control of technology and information e.g. Agricultural knowledge (seeds, seed- banking, farm methods); Use: Affordability, relevance, usability, availability leading to sustainability. values and ethicsPlace for values and ethics