The CDF Social Audit Guide: A Handbook for Communities

This OSI-sponsored handbook is designed to assist community groups and individuals in understanding the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) process and to provide information and skills on how to monitor these funds through a process known as social auditing.

The handbook is divided into the following sections:

Section 1 gives a detailed introduction to the CDF, including a brief outline of the concept of the Social Audit, including the objectives of a Social Audit and what a Social Audit aims to achieve. This section also discusses how CDF money is allocated and takes a detailed look at the key institutions involved in CDF administration and their roles and responsibilities.

Section 2 deals with the CDF process and goes into detail about how the CDF works from inception up to the completion of a project. It looks at the key stages of the CDF project cycle and explains key documents and institutions involved at every stage.

Section 3 discusses the aspect of monitoring and evaluation, and specifically the social audit in detail, including the stages involved. It also introduces some practical CDF social audit tools.

Section 4 deals with the numerous advocacy issues raised in CDF implementation and gives recommendations. It also briefly examines some principles of best practice in CDF management. It introduces a CDF accountability charter, a tool that is gaining increased popularity amongst CSOs engaged in monitoring local development funds in the country.

Section 5 contains various annexes, including the CDF Act 2003, the CDF (Amendment) Act 2007, and the CDF Implementation Guidelines from 2006/7.

The handbook is available in two versions: the complete guide and an abridged, "popular" version.