Following Bangladesh’s recent democratic transition, significant changes have taken place across civil society and governance structures, influencing both the mindset and daily lives of its citizens. In this situation, introducing social accountability with tools is a national necessity—particularly for young people, who represent the largest and most dynamic segment of the population. Equipping youth with knowledge and tools for social accountability enables them to become active citizens, hold institutions responsible, and lead community-driven change in an era that demands transparency, inclusion, and informed participation.
The month-long Social Accountability Training, titled “Foundations of Social Accountability: Theory & Practice,” has been successfully completed, engaging 45 youth participants from 20 districts across Bangladesh. Organized with the support of the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) and Youth for Policy (YfP), the training aimed to empower young leaders with practical knowledge and participatory tools to promote transparency, inclusion, and citizen-centered governance.
Over the course of the program, participants engaged in an intensive series of online sessions that introduced key concepts and tools of social accountability. These included understanding social accountability, identifying community problems using Problem Tree Analysis, conducting Key Informant Interviews (KII), applying Seasonal Calendar methods, developing a project’s Theory of Change, implementing monitoring and evaluation methods, and planning strategic advocacy.
Participants reported that the practical coursework at the field was both enriching and relevant, helping them develop a clearer understanding of how to analyze local challenges and engage their communities meaningfully. Through collaborative exercises and guided facilitation, youth teams began developing their own community projects, rooted in the principles of accountability, evidence-based planning, and inclusive problem-solving.
Following the completion of this foundational training, each team will move forward with the implementation of community-based projects—designed using the tools and approaches they have learned. These projects aim to address local issues while ensuring participation, responsiveness, and accountability at every step.
This training marks a significant step toward building a generation of youth leaders who are equipped to act as changemakers in their own communities, using informed advocacy and social accountability frameworks to create long-lasting impact.