Accountability in local governance requires that government and citizen groups engage each other meaningfully to identify issues of concern and to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions, within the context of their environment and culture. Through stakeholder consultations and dialogues, governments can involve citizens and communities in the governance process, and learn from them at the same time.
ANSA EAP recognizes that for citizen groups to meaningfully take part in this process, capacity constraints have to be addressed. Citizen groups, in particular, have to understand the budget process. In this manner, the participatory planning process can empower people, in particular the disadvantaged groups, and allow for the integration of local knowledge systems into project design.