Paper details
| Paper authors | lydia Atiema |
| In panel on | More than (Buzz)Words: Participation in Humanitarian Practice |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
Background
Kenya Red Cross Society embarked on mainstreaming Accountability to Communities (AtC) to increase community voices in its actions. Communities had previously expressed gaps in sending feedback to KRCS.
Statement of purpose
This paper aims at sharing key success factors at the organizational level and key immediate outcomes as voiced by the communities.
Methodology
CDA Collaborative learning, a US based consulting company documented the operational case study through FGDs, KIIs, process mapping and photos stories.
Findings and Analysis
KRCS established channels preferred by the communities. In the first half of 2018, the organization documented 208 feedbacks of which 90% were fully addressed on time. Ensuring Leadership buy in and engagement of staff and volunteers at all organizational levels enabled AtC embedment in the current strategic plan. AtC mainstreaming was spearheaded by the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEA&L) department, which made tracking of AtC objectives in the Strategic Plan easy. Investing in AtC builds trust with communities and which improves programme quality.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Leadership buy-in and involvement of staff across the organization is critical to mainstreaming AtC. Identification of a lead department avoids duplication of efforts. Lastly AtC should also focus on other minimum standards beyond feedback mechanisms.
Presenters
Kenya Recross