# Social Audit in 20 Steps: Lessons Learned from Fighting Corruption in Guatemala, Peru and Ghana URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/social-audit-in-20-steps Type: Publication or report Published: 2018-11-29 Updated: 2020-04-02 --- 29 November 2018 Social audit is a powerful social accountability tool. It has led to the conviction of public officials for violating the right to information law in Guatemala, a 50 per cent reduction in the costs of public construction works in Peru, and cancelling an illegal education fee in Ghana. Social audit scrutinises public officials’ decisions and/or actions, looking for administrative or financial irregularities. It seeks to uncover discrepancies by comparing public documents, processes or services with how they should be. It can take many names and forms, ranging from social audits in Guatemala and anti-corruption brigades in Peru, to social auditing clubs in Ghana. This report extracts lessons from the social audits implemented by Acción Ciudadana in Guatemala, Proética in Peru and Ghana Integrity Initiative in Ghana. The report examines the social audit outcome reports and other records shared by the three Transparency International chapters, and includes an extensive review of the wider literature on social audits. Based on these experiences, the report outlines 20 key steps to implement an effective social audit. ## Additional downloads - [Download 'Spanish translation Auditoría Social en 20 Pasos' \[PDF\]](https://files.transparencycdn.org/images/Spanish_translation-Auditor%C3%ADa_Social_en_20_Pasos.pdf) ### Related publications ## [Monitoring political finance: Compendium of citizen initiatives and good practices](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/monitoring-political-finance-compendium-of-citizen-initiatives-and-good-practices) Publication • 18 August 2026 This compendium aims to provide ideas for stakeholders interested in monitoring political finance. It presents seven monitoring and disclosure solutions from around the world,… ## [Breaking the Silos: A Practical Guide to Fighting Corruption with a Human Rights-Based Approach](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/breaking-the-silos-a-practical-guide-to-fighting-corruption-with-a-human-rights-based-approach) Publication • 25 June 2026 This guide seeks to equip human rights defenders and anti-corruption advocates with practical tools to promote accountability for corrupt acts. ## [Barriers to Basics: Corruption and discrimination in education and health services](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/barriers-to-basics-corruption-discrimination-in-education-health-services) Publication • 02 April 2025 This report explores how corruption and discrimination limit access to education and healthcare services. ## [The Integrity Pact – Harnessing collective action for good governance and business integrity in public procurement](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-pact-collective-action-good-governance-business-integrity-public-procurement) Publication • 16 December 2024 The publication provides a blueprint for the implementation of the Integrity Pact to safeguard high-value public procurements and investments. ## Countries - [Ghana](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/ghana) - [Guatemala](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/guatemala) - [Peru](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/peru) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2018_Guide_SocialAudit20Steps_English_116.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2018_Guide_SocialAudit20Steps_English.pdf)