Monitoring Joint Action Plan (JAP) implementation is important, as budget allocation to address a priority alone is not a guarantee that the problem is addressed. Even when a woreda council reports that a certain JAP action has been completed, there is no guarantee that this was done, and monitoring ‘on the ground’ is an important means of verification.

 

In Kolfe Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Woreda Social Accountability Committee (WSAC) has served as a participatory platform for local governance and social accountability and led to substantial improvements in service provision. The WSAC was able to identify citizens’ priorities, worked closely with the woreda government to develop a JAP, succeeded in getting the plan incorporated into the woreda plan and budget, and finally visited locations to find out if the plans were actually implemented.

 

The committee, along with CBOs, CSOs, councils, service user groups and community representatives,  has demonstrated the capacity to monitor JAPs implementation in its respective woreda and localities. “We have to take a leading role in monitoring the changes on the ground and further strengthen the accountability of service providers,” said Roman Wondwossen, a member of Kolfe Sub-City WSAC, adding that close follow-up of activities is important to track progress.

 

Considering its accomplishments, Kolfe Sub-City WSAC is regarded as a model WSAC in Addis Ababa, and efforts are underway by Hiwot Integrated Development Organization (HIDO), ESAP Implementing Partner, to share the experiences of the committee with others.