Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Survey

The KAP survey aligns closely with ICLD’s Theory of Knowledge, which emphasises reflective thinking and the ethical application of knowledge to foster a more inclusive and democratic society. By evaluating participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices, the KAP survey encourages critical examination of democratic values in real-world settings.

What is a KAP Survey?

The KAP survey (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices) is a method used to assess the knowledge people have, their attitudes or beliefs, and their practices or behaviors related to a specific topic. It is widely used in different fields to gather insights into how individuals and groups understand and engage with certain issues. In the context of ICLD, the KAP survey plays a crucial role in evaluating participants’ understanding of local democracy and how democratic values are practiced in their communities.

The KAP survey focuses on three main areas:

Knowledge – What participants know about democratic processes and core values such as accountability, transparency, equity, and participation.

Attitudes – What beliefs and feelings they hold about these democratic values and how they view local governance.

Practices – What actions they take that reflect their knowledge and attitudes, such as participating in local decision-making, demanding accountability, or accessing public services.

Why KAP Surveys Matter

KAP surveys provide insight into how well democratic values are being adopted and practiced by citizens and local governments. They help identify knowledge gaps, misconceptions, or cultural beliefs that may be barriers to effective governance. By understanding these areas, program officers can make informed decisions about where interventions are needed to improve local governance and strengthen democratic participation.

The survey also provides an important baseline to track changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices after participating in ICLD programs. This allows for a clearer understanding of how programs impact participants over time, supporting both monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Relevance of KAP to Local Democracy

KAP surveys are essential tools in evaluating and promoting local democracy because they provide direct insights from citizens about how democratic principles are functioning in their communities. Local democracy thrives when citizens are knowledgeable, have positive attitudes towards governance, and actively engage in democratic processes. The KAP survey directly measures these three elements, enabling local governments and organisations to:

• Identify Gaps – Determine where citizens may lack information or hold misconceptions about their rights and the roles of local officials.
• Understand Attitudes – Gauge public trust in local institutions and the effectiveness of democratic processes such as elections, transparency, and participation.
• Assess Participation – Measure how actively citizens are involved in local decision-making, community discussions, and actions that influence governance.

For example, by understanding how citizens perceive accountability and whether they trust complaint mechanisms, local governments can adjust their processes to be more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to public needs. This strengthens the very foundation of local governance by ensuring it is shaped by and for the people.

Why KAP is Important to Local Democracy

KAP surveys are critically important to local democracy for several reasons:

1. Promoting Informed Citizenship
   A core element of democracy is that citizens must be well-informed to participate meaningfully in governance. The KAP survey helps identify what citizens know about their democratic rights and responsibilities. This ensures that knowledge gaps can be addressed through targeted education or community programs, empowering citizens to engage more actively in local governance.
2. Building Trust and Engagement
   Local democracy relies heavily on citizens’ trust in their government and their willingness to participate in decision-making processes. By understanding attitudes toward transparency, accountability, and equity, KAP surveys help local governments build strategies to improve trust. For example, if citizens feel that local officials are not transparent, governments can take steps to share more information openly, thus fostering greater trust and engagement.
3. Driving Behavior Change
   Democracy is not just about what people know or believe—it is also about what they do. KAP surveys assess the practices of citizens, such as voting, attending community meetings, or holding officials accountable. Understanding these behaviors allows local governments to promote more effective participation. For example, if the survey shows low levels of public participation in town halls, governments can introduce new platforms (such as online forums or local radio programs) to encourage more inclusive participation.
4. Tailoring Interventions to Local Needs
   Every community is unique, and KAP surveys allow local governments to tailor their interventions to the specific needs of their citizens. By analysing how knowledge, attitudes, and practices vary across different demographic groups (such as youth, women, or marginalised populations), governments can create more equitable policies that ensure all voices are heard and respected.
5. Enhancing Accountability and Transparency
   KAP surveys contribute directly to two of the core values of local democracy: accountability and transparency. They reveal whether citizens feel empowered to hold their governments accountable and whether they believe that decision-making processes are open and fair. Armed with this knowledge, local governments can implement reforms that make them more transparent and accountable to the people they serve.

Real-World Impact: How KAP Surveys Drive Change in Local Democracy

1. Chilanga, Zambia: In the Gender Mainstreaming program, the Chilanga team utilised KAP surveys to identify how they could promote inclusion and participation. Their efforts included exercises from the “Democracy Fitness” methodology to engage colleagues and local government stakeholders. These activities helped the team discuss and implement core democratic values in their equality-focused project within the mining industry.
2. Amasra, Turkey: Participants in the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) program used KAP surveys to improve their understanding and application of gender-responsive budgeting. This initiative included the involvement of the deputy mayor, which facilitated political commitment to advancing gender equality in local governance. The team also developed a handbook for gender-conscious budgeting to guide other municipalities in adopting similar practices.

Key Takeaways
The KAP survey is more than just a data collection tool—it is a learning tool. By focusing on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices, it empowers participants to reflect on their role in local democracy and supports them in taking concrete actions to improve governance in their communities.

KAP is essential for local democracy as it promotes informed, engaged, and active citizens, and it offers governments the opportunity to create more responsive and accountable governance systems.

For more information or to collaborate with ICLD on MEL initiatives, please contact:
Joel Wernersson
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager, Assistant Director of Knowledge Center
Email: joel.wernersson@icld.se