MODEL - NON PROFIT

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWPAC is a leading think tank that promotes good governance through the participation of citizens and civil society, by designing and implementing social accountability tools such as Citizen Report Cards (CRC). PAC also analyzes public policy frames and engages with civil society organisations. PAC’s approaches have been applied across the world and used for focused analysis by several Indian states and administrative bodies.

THE PROBLEMConventional policy design has always been

structured upon policy expression and administrative

processes, with little space for the inclusion of citizen

experience with public services. There are few citizen-

centric monitoring and benchmarking tools to assess

the reliability of and satisfaction with services.

PAC’s RESPONSEPAC undertakes and supports research, disseminates

research findings, facilitates collective citizen action

through awareness and capacity building activities, and

provides advisory services to both state and non-state

agencies. PAC’s work focuses on governance as

experienced from an average citizen’s perspective.

Public Affairs Centre (PAC)

Founded: 1994 | Head Office: Bangalore | Coverage: Pan-India | Full-Time Staff: 30Budget (2013-14): Organization – INR 3.6 crore; Governance – INR 3.6 crore

HOW DID IT EVOLVE?

Public Affairs Centre (PAC)

WHAT DOES IT DO?

www.pacindia.org

Developed Citizen Report Cards; began to engage

in research on state projects

Evolved as a group for citizens to connect with the government; active

engagement in electoral reform and public service

analysis

Formed the Public Policy Research Group within

PAC; expanded the Citizen Action Support

Group to work with communities

Gained membership of the international Think

Tank Initiative; created the Environmental

Governance Group

Redefined core sectors of focus – urban resilience,

vulnerability, water security, employment generation and green

economy

1994 1997 2008 2009 2013

Public Policy Research: PAC conducts professional research on important sectoral issues to inform and influence policymakers, civil society and other stakeholders. Major on-going policy research projects focus on Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Swach Bharat Mission, and Right to Public Services Act.Citizen Action: PAC works through coalitions and campaigns for civic engagement. It develops toolkits and trains non-profits and communities in five Indian states to work with the Rural Roads Agencies to monitor road quality. PAC also empowers communities to reduce graft and leakage in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and MNREGA in their local areas.Social Accountability Research: PAC presents citizens’ experience with public services to those in governance structures through social accountability instruments like the Citizen Report Card. It has trained over 500 non-profits and government officials to diagnose gaps and strengthen reform measures in public services such as health, water, sanitation, power and police services.Environmental Governance: PAC’s Climate Change Score Card assesses the impact of climate extremes on the livelihoods of those in eco-fragile and disaster-prone areas in Gulf of Mannar, Wayanad, Cauvery Basin. PAC also promotes citizen-led Environmental Impact Assessment.

KEY INTERVENTIONS

1. Building awareness and mobilizing citizens2. Training citizens for public engagement 3. Creating knowledge and evidence4. Advocacy for policy design and implementation5. Technology platforms and solutions6. Facilitating independent and inclusive journalism7. Capacity building of government officials8. Capacity building of local partners9. Facilitating platforms for multi-stakeholder engagement

WHAT’S NEXT?

Increase focus on linking its research work with government policy – PAC plans to reach out to government functionaries to influence policy-making.Leverage its extensive experience in policy research and participatory governance to train other organizations and government functionaries in citizen-centric governance practices. Increase its team size and capability to meet the growing demand for PAC’s research and advisory services, from both state and non-state institutions.

"Public Affairs Centre is a leap of faith, guided by a vision to enhance the quality of our nation’s governance through an active interaction of civil society with the State. The positive response to the centre’s initiatives from many quarters and the adoption of its concepts, tools and messages in varied contexts augur well for the future.”- Dr. Samuel Paul, founder

citizenvoice policy law servicedelivery thinktank transparency RTI elections budgets urbangovernance panchayatiraj accesstojustice

technology humanrights independentmedia

PAC’s work for Bangalore’s government maternity homes has led to the formation of citizen committees, which serve as messengers within the user community and also help in building a good relationship between users and staff. These committees have been able to highlight and work towards solving significant infrastructure gaps in the maternity homes.

- Medical Officer at a Bangalore Maternity Home

Has gained significant credibility for its assessment of programs through its citizen-centric and social accountability approach. PAC today receives direct requests from departments in the state governments (e.g. Karnataka Police) to assess existing programs and make recommendations. Has undertaken multi-state projects highlighting best practices and challenges in the implementation of government schemes such as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (sanitation), PDS and MNREGA.Has increasingly played the role of influencer in the public policy space in India, through published books and papers on the state of urban infrastructure services, among other issues.

WHAT HAS IT ACHIEVED?

VOICES FROM THE GROUND

Worked for over 32 years on social and environmental change, livelihoods and resource management.Carried out international consultancy assignments on monitoring and evaluation and training tools.

Key funders include IDRC Think Tank Initiative, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank, government of India, state governments.Partnerships with 100+ civil society organizations.

Governing Board is chaired by a former Chief Justice of India, and includes two former Chief Secretaries. PAC has achieved the highest level accreditation by Credibility Alliance.Dr. Samuel Paul, founder, was awarded the Jit Gill Memorial Award by the World Bank in 2006.

QUALITY INDICATORS

Public Affairs Centre (PAC)

FCRA12 A 80 G FCRA

Leadership Presently led by R. Suresh.

Partnerships

Endorsements