Since 2008, CINI has been involved in community monitoring of services in different sectors:
Health: Community monitoring of services covered under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
Nutrition: Community monitoring of services covered under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
Livelihood: Community monitoring of entitlements due from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Education: Community monitoring of services covered under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA).
The organization works at the regional level and with the state governments in order to impact on policy and program designing. CINI also works with municipal and local governments to support and build capacities in the focus areas of intervention.
Area of Work East India- West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh
Contact Person Gurjeet Singh
Approaches to implementing Community monitoring/ accountability
The main approach is the use of report/score cards. Scorecards are used to gather information and analyse data that is then displayed in public level dialogues with government departments.
The approach includes community mobilization through street plays, songs, group discussions and use of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. Capacity building to community-based organizations is carried-out trough a training process.
The approach also includes follow-up to the reports and actions to ensure that redresses are carried-out.
Results
Increased awareness on entitlements and the process for claiming these entitlements.
Accountability from government departments.
In the context where the organization works, community mobilization is strong, as well as the presence of NGOs and the capacity for media advocacy.
Lessons
A weakness is the lack of participation from government authorities.
Small-scale community monitoring makes difficult to sustain social mobilization across the state.