Strengthening NGO Accountability through Beneficiary Participation : Lessons Learned from Two Cambodian NGOs

Now that NGOs are inclined to better identify and respond to beneficiary needs so as to secure program accountability, this paper addresses the role of beneficiary participation performed in this quest. Grounded on an analysis of two development projects in Cambodia, the study asserts that ability of beneficiaries to hold NGOs accountable in this stance seems to be determined by a ‘meaningful’ participation process which emphasizes their early inclusion (i.e., from the identification phase) and ‘broad’ involvement, and which most of all provides greater essence to ‘transformative’ mechanisms (i.e., shared decision making, collaboration and empowerment). In furtherance, the data appear that ‘seniority’ and ‘organizational affiliation’ instill emphatic determination on the accountability-demanding ability.