Ethiopian Social Accountability Program (ESAP2)

The World Bank-funded Ethiopian Social Accountability Program (ESAP2) works to strengthen the capacity of citizens and government to collaborate on improving basic public services — education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture, and rural roads. RLDO implemented ESAP2 in Sidama Zone, working on education in Wonsho woreda and health in Arbegona woreda, alongside implementing partners KDA (Konso Development Association) and PICDO.

Of Wonsho's 23 kebeles, 3 were selected for the education component; of Arbegona's 39 kebeles, 2 were selected for the health component. RLDO established Woreda Social Accountability Committees (9 members each) and Kebele SACs (7 members each), and ran Focus Group Discussions across the 3 targeted kebeles (12 members each, 36 discussants total, drawn from community representatives, excluded groups, and women's representatives) using tools such as community score cards and participatory budgeting.

At Roko kebele in Arbegona, the local health post had no perimeter fence, leaving it exposed to grazing cattle. After participating in ESAP2's rollout training, the kebele's Social Accountability Committee and Focus Group Discussion members mobilized the community, who contributed wood and labor to build a protective fence — a concrete example of the increased community ownership the program aimed to build.