Leveraging Citizen Data to Improve Public Services and Measure Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goal 16

Fraisl, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7523-7967, Neves, M., Seidu, O., Darpoh, C.K., Basnyat, A., Usheva, F., Tungbani, B., Ankamah, D., See, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2665-7065, & Gadgil, A. (2026). Leveraging Citizen Data to Improve Public Services and Measure Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goal 16. In: European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) 2026, 3-6 March 2026, Oulu, Finland.

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a pilot study conducted in Ghana that utilized citizen data approaches for monitoring a governance indicator within the SDG framework, focusing on indicator 16.6.2 citizen satisfaction with public services. This indicator is a crucial measure of governance quality, as emphasized by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through target 16.6 Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. Indicator 16.6.2 specifically measures satisfaction with key public services, including health, education, and other government services, such as government-issued identification documents through a survey. However, with only 5 years remaining to achieve the SDGs, the lack of data continues to pose a significant challenge in monitoring progress toward this target, particularly regarding the experiences of marginalized populations. Our findings suggest that well-designed citizen data initiatives can effectively capture the experiences of marginalized individuals and communities. Additionally, they can serve as valuable supplements to official statistics, providing crucial data on population groups typically underrepresented in traditional surveys.

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