The Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network is a broad network of CSOs that works to ensure that open, inclusive, accountable, effective governance and peaceful societies are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and that civil society are recognized and mobilized as indispensable partners in the design, implementation of and accountability for sustainable development policies, at all levels.
The TAP Network engages some of the foremost expert organizations on the issues around Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” TAP benefits from the invaluable expertise, experiences and unique perspectives of its members, all of whom come together to collaborate on joint work and common positions under the TAP Network umbrella. This work is underpinned by recognition that we maximize reach and influence when many stakeholders speak with a unified voice.
Vision:
TAP’s vision for the 2030 Agenda is framed by notions of rule-of-law and the TAP principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, as well as respect for human rights. Effective governance and sustained peace in a Post-2015 world requires transparent, participatory and inclusive institutions that are accountable to the very people that the 2030 Agenda has committed to engage.
The TAP Network is united in the belief that open, inclusive, accountable and effective governance and peaceful societies are both outcomes and enablers of sustainable and equitable development. The 2030 Agenda must promote openness, accountability and effective public institutions, build trust between states and its citizens, lay the foundation for peaceful and just societies, and empower civil society to engage in the design, implementation and accountability of public policies, at all levels. TAP’s work also looks to reinforce the assertion that SDG16 underpins the entire 2030 Agenda and that SDG16 is linked with all other SDGs.
TAP’s work also reflects the will and impetus of the millions of citizens from around the world who voted for ‘an honest and responsive government’ as one of their top priorities in the My World survey – a theme echoed in consultations with people around the world throughout the Post-2015 negotiation process.
Objectives:
The TAP Network’s over-arching goals are to support, contribute and strengthen capacity of civil society stakeholders to work on issues of transparency, accountability and participation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the global and national levels, with a particular focus on SDG 16 which underpins the entirety of the 2030 Agenda. Through this work, the TAP Network aims to:
- Help ensure the Transparency, Accountability and Participation around 2030 Agenda follow-up and review is strengthened at the global level, and in countries undertaking voluntary national reviews for the SDGs
- Expand opportunities for civil society to harness data for SDG accountability and ensure development of robust indicators and methodologies for SDG16.
- Strengthen the capacity of civil society to work around SDG16 and to support monitoring and accountability for the 2030 Agenda at all levels