Panama university-based social accountability for major infrastructure
Intervention Mechanism
A university-based social accountability model uses published project information to scrutinise major infrastructure projects. Students analyse project data, engage stakeholders, and prepare formal recommendations. This supports external review during project identification, planning, and oversight.
Initiative Summary
In Panama, students in a master’s programme on open government and integrity carried out social accountability work on major infrastructure projects. They analyse published infrastructure data and engage relevant stakeholders. They submit structured recommendations to public entities. The model was applied to major projects, including high-speed rail and the Panama Canal.
Practice Lesson
This initiative demonstrates how universities can support external scrutiny of major infrastructure decisions. It combines data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and formal recommendations. This helps strengthen review of project information, planning assumptions, and public accountability.
Reference
CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative. (2026). Social accountability: Better infrastructure in action. Available from: https://infrastructuretransparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Social-accountability-Impact-story-2026.pdf