Mechanisms for NGO Accountability

Today, global public policy is the product of negotiations between states, business and civil society actors or NGOs. As the role of NGOs in policy formulations, implementation and enforcement has risen, so have questions concerning their effectiveness, liability and legitimacy as actors in the governance process. In this paper, Lisa Jordan discusses the costs and benefits of ensuring NGO accountability, particularly with regards to the current practice that emphasizes 'upward' and 'external' accountability to donors. She proposes that NGOs and academic community develop mechanisms that ensure NGO accountability to multiple stakeholders. These tools and processes must not only assure accountability to donors but also to NGO staff (;internal' accountability) as well as to the general public and the beneficiaries of NGO services ('downwards' accountability).