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Whose Voice Matters? Examining How Accountability in Swedish Development Cooperation Shapes Participatory Funding

Andersson, Signe LU (2026) MIDM19 20261
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Objectives: Contemporary development cooperation increasingly promotes participation,localization, and local ownership as central goals, while donor governments place strongerdemands on transparency, measurable results, and financial control. These ambitions do notalways fit easily together. This thesis examines how accountability is constructed andinterpreted in Sweden’s development cooperation with civil society, and how this enables orconstrains participatory funding. Drawing on Ebrahim’s framework on accountabilitymechanisms and accountability myopia, the study focuses on Sweden’s 2025–2029 CivilSociety Strategy and participatory micro-grant initiatives in Kenya.Method: A qualitative case study design combining document analysis and... (More)
Objectives: Contemporary development cooperation increasingly promotes participation,localization, and local ownership as central goals, while donor governments place strongerdemands on transparency, measurable results, and financial control. These ambitions do notalways fit easily together. This thesis examines how accountability is constructed andinterpreted in Sweden’s development cooperation with civil society, and how this enables orconstrains participatory funding. Drawing on Ebrahim’s framework on accountabilitymechanisms and accountability myopia, the study focuses on Sweden’s 2025–2029 CivilSociety Strategy and participatory micro-grant initiatives in Kenya.Method: A qualitative case study design combining document analysis and semi-structuredinterviews was applied. The study draws on Sweden’s 2025–2029 Civil Society Strategy,Sida’s implementation plan, and 20 interviews with Sida staff, Swedish intermediary CSOs,and Kenyan CSOs and CBOs. Main findings: The findings show that accountability in Sweden’s civil society cooperationis primarily organized around reporting, measurable results, transparency, and risk control,while participation and adaptive learning remain less institutionalized. Participatory fundingapproaches such as micro-granting remain possible, but largely depend on intermediary CSOstranslating and softening donor requirements in practice. The study suggests thataccountability does not simply constrain participation, but structures the conditions underwhich meaningful participation becomes possible. (Less)
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author
Andersson, Signe LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
accountability, participation, participatory funding, local ownership, Sweden’s Civil Society Strategy, Sida, Kenya, development cooperation, civil society organizations, community-based organizations
language
English
id
9226159
date added to LUP
2026-06-30 14:03:24
date last changed
2026-06-30 14:03:24
@misc{9226159,
  abstract     = {{Objectives: Contemporary development cooperation increasingly promotes participation,localization, and local ownership as central goals, while donor governments place strongerdemands on transparency, measurable results, and financial control. These ambitions do notalways fit easily together. This thesis examines how accountability is constructed andinterpreted in Sweden’s development cooperation with civil society, and how this enables orconstrains participatory funding. Drawing on Ebrahim’s framework on accountabilitymechanisms and accountability myopia, the study focuses on Sweden’s 2025–2029 CivilSociety Strategy and participatory micro-grant initiatives in Kenya.Method: A qualitative case study design combining document analysis and semi-structuredinterviews was applied. The study draws on Sweden’s 2025–2029 Civil Society Strategy,Sida’s implementation plan, and 20 interviews with Sida staff, Swedish intermediary CSOs,and Kenyan CSOs and CBOs. Main findings: The findings show that accountability in Sweden’s civil society cooperationis primarily organized around reporting, measurable results, transparency, and risk control,while participation and adaptive learning remain less institutionalized. Participatory fundingapproaches such as micro-granting remain possible, but largely depend on intermediary CSOstranslating and softening donor requirements in practice. The study suggests thataccountability does not simply constrain participation, but structures the conditions underwhich meaningful participation becomes possible.}},
  author       = {{Andersson, Signe}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Whose Voice Matters? Examining How Accountability in Swedish Development Cooperation Shapes Participatory Funding}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}