Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘‘accountable governance’’? ‘Accountable governance’ is simply how we name work that confronts the abuse of entrusted power for personal (including community, political, family etc.) gain -- whether you call it public sector reform, leadership ethics, transparency, accountability, civil service professionalization, anti-corruption, governance or integrity, or something else entirely. You don't have to speak our language – you still fit in our tent.
What does the hybrid structure look like? The Accelerator combines virtual learning with in-person collaboration to help teams move from understanding social norms to applying them in practice. Participants can expect 1–2 virtual sessions per month, complemented by two in-person convenings lasting 3–4 days each. Less virtual sessions will occur in the months of in-person events. The first in-person meeting will happen in late January 2027 (location TBD). The second will take place in Paris, in late March immediately following the OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum.
Does our work have to be in low income or fragile contexts? No. The Social Norms Accelerator is open to organizations working in any country or, sector. What matters is not where you work, but the nature of the challenge you are trying to address. We are looking for organizations working on ‘accountable governance’ issues where the abuse of power for personal gain has become common, expected, or difficult to change. This may be a challenge that affects an entire country, region, or province. It may also be concentrated within a particular sector or institution, including in contexts that are otherwise characterized by strong rule of law.
How much time should participants expect to commit? During the 7 months that include virtual programming, each participant should expect to commit approximately 8 hours per month. This includes virtual sessions, pre-readings, and practical exercises designed to help participants apply concepts to their work. During the two months that include in-person events, participants should expect to commit 3–4 days per event, with some preparation and follow up. The location of the first event is still being finalized, while the second event will take place in Paris, immediately following the OECD Global Anticorruption and Integrity Forum.
When does the program start & end? The Social Norms Accelerator begins with a virtual kickoff session in late September 2026 and concludes in May 2027.