LOCAL GOVERNMENT CITIZEN-BASED MONITORING (CBM) TOOL

The document outlines the Citizen-Based Monitoring (CBM) approach, a six-step process designed to improve local government accountability in South Africa. It provides practical instructions for trained monitors on engaging stakeholders, accessing public information via the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), and using KoboToolbox for data collection. The guide emphasizes non-confrontational engagement, safety protocols, and the use of Joint Working Groups to resolve identified service delivery issues, with a particular focus on water and sanitation infrastructure.

• The COMPACT project, co-funded by the European Union from February 2022 to January 2026, aims to increase local government accountability in South Africa by enhancing community participation in integrated development planning (IDP), specifically regarding water and sanitation.
• Citizen monitors are encouraged to use the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) to request municipal records, such as IDPs, budgets, and tender registers, to compare promised project outcomes with actual delivery.
• The monitoring process utilizes KoboToolbox for data collection via two primary forms: a monitoring checklist for project site assessment and a survey for gathering feedback from a diverse group of community members.
• The guide establishes a safety framework for monitors using the 'READE' acronym (Recognise, Evaluate, Avoid, Contact, Diffuse, Exit) to manage risks and avoid confrontational situations during site visits.
• Monitoring data is aggregated and published on a public-facing website, allowing stakeholders to track project schedules, the number of outstanding problems, and community satisfaction percentages.

APA

Public Affairs Research Institute (2024). LOCAL GOVERNMENT CITIZEN-BASED MONITORING (CBM) TOOL. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/COMPACT_Monitors-Handbook_English-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Public Affairs Research Institute. LOCAL GOVERNMENT CITIZEN-BASED MONITORING (CBM) TOOL. 2024. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/COMPACT_Monitors-Handbook_English-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Public Affairs Research Institute |title=LOCAL GOVERNMENT CITIZEN-BASED MONITORING (CBM) TOOL |date=January 2024 |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/COMPACT_Monitors-Handbook_English-FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{publicaffairsresearchinstitute2024local, author = {{Public Affairs Research Institute}}, title = {{LOCAL GOVERNMENT CITIZEN-BASED MONITORING (CBM) TOOL}}, institution = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/COMPACT_Monitors-Handbook_English-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }