More than simply ‘demand’ The use of community score cards

for public services, Malawi Leni Wild – Research Fellow

Daniel Harris – Research Officer16 January 2012

Community Score Cards Programme

• Pilot operating in eight districts spread across the three main regions of Malawi

• Led by Plan Malawi, with Action Aid Malawi and the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi

• Implemented by locally-based CSOs • Theory of change based on citizen demand, provision

of information and action by duty-bearers (service providers and district officials)

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Understanding CBMP impact

• Some concrete examples of change…

• Construction of teacher housing, Mulanje and Kasungu Districts

• Changes in FISP market management in Kasungu District

…but not necessarily driven by the citizen-led /rights/duty-bearers model (different kinds of change)

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Multiple channels to service delivery improvements

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More than just demand?

• Community scorecards have the potential to result in improved service delivery

• But framing them only as mechanisms to strengthen voice and demand sells these initiatives short

• Also need to consider:- Recognition of shared responsibilities- Working with institutions and actors which have influence on the ground (traditional chiefs) - The use of implementers effective as brokers or facilitators

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