Measuring change and results in voice and accountability work

Citizens' capacity to express and exercise their views is a vital part of poverty reduction. States that can be held accountable for their actions are more likely to respond to the different needs and demands of the public. Citizen voice and accountability (V&A) work has emerged as a priority in the international development agenda, and is part of the broader debate about the importance of governance in improving prospects for poor people. DFID supports a significant amount of V&A work through government and non-state actors, and through its sector programmes. Yet the evidence of impact on broader development goals has been limited. In a new working paper (Measuring Change and Results in Voice and Accountability Work), a comprehensive set of indicators has been developed for measuring the effects of V&A work. The indicators cover every stage in the results change from inputs to impacts and are mapped onto DFID's operational frameworks. They provide practical suggestions, tips and examples of indicators to use when developing log frames, covering different aspects of voice and accountability including capability, accountability and responsiveness. The indicators are aimed at development practitioners who need to show evidence of change related to V&A programmes. This work will be taken forward as part of DFID's on-going work to develop a set of suggested indicators for governance work, due in 2010.