How do public institutions rebuild trust in a region where oversight is often overlooked, and audit reports gather dust, unseen by the very people they are meant to serve?
This question was at the heart of a recent three-day planning workshop in Belize City, Belize where IDI brought together beneficiary and peer partner Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to co-design the next phase of the Global SAI Accountability Initiative (GSAI), funded by the European Union.
In Dominica and Belize, countries where the respective SAIs and their audit reports historically have had low public visibility, this event marked more than a planning meeting. It was a signal that their institutions matter, that reform is possible, and that they're not alone on the journey.
Peer Support in Action: Shared Learning, Shared Ownership
Hosted from 13–15 May 2025, the GSAI Phase 2 workshop welcomed participants from SAI Dominica, SAI Belize, peer partners from SAI Latvia and SAI India, and key donor representatives from the US Embassy and the World Bank. The energy in the room was clear: this wasn’t a typical meeting, but a collaborative planning space anchored in peer-to-peer exchange and trust.
“Peer support in GSAI isn’t just about sharing knowledge — it’s about sharing responsibility and lifting each other up,” said Anne Marie George of SAI Dominica. “That has made a lasting impression on us.”
These relationships are the cornerstone of GSAI. The initiative connects SAIs from across the globe to foster mutual learning, long-term mentorship, and hands-on support tailored to each SAI’s context. And the results are showing.
“Through the initiative, we have been in the process of customising our audit manuals and working papers, which will further standardise our audit processes — it’s a big step forward for consistency and quality,” shared Maria Rodriguez, Auditor General of Belize. She emphasised that thanks to GSAI important updates and stakeholder engagement had begun, stating, “We’ve aligned over 80% of our audit work with international standards, and we’ve taken bold new steps, like initiating donor collaboration, for the first time.”
Strong Peer Relationships Are Building Bridges That Last
What makes GSAI unique isn’t only its technical depth— it’s the human connection at the heart of its peer-to-peer network. Appreciation of the built-in mentorship and inclusion came up repeatedly in participants’ reflections during the event.
“One of the most powerful parts of our GSAI journey was the mentorship we received from SAI Latvia,” Anne Marie George added. “They didn’t just share technical skills, they welcomed us, included us in their workflow, and showed us the value of inclusivity and ethical leadership. That experience deeply shaped how we work back home.”
For the peer SAIs, too, the learning was reciprocal. Silvija Nora Kalniņš from SAI Latvia reflected, “Working with an SAI we never expected to collaborate with—so far away yet facing such similar challenges— opened our eyes to new ways of working. It reminded us to be respectful of one another, to appreciate different approaches, and to reflect on how far we’ve come.”
This spirit of solidarity was especially meaningful in a regional context where the impact of these SAIs has been hindered by their limited visibility.
In Belize, the SAI has been unable to publish any audit reports to date. Yet now, with strengthened processes and a new strategic plan under development, the SAI has begun engaging key stakeholders like Parliament and donors while preparing for public outreach.
Elevating the Role of SAIs Means an Investment in Stronger Governance
Run jointly by INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) and the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation (IDC), the GSAI programme has empowered SAIs to take ownership of reform, demonstrate relevance, and engage constructively with both citizens and policymakers.
In its second phase, GSAI will not only support technical improvements but also help raise the profile of participating SAIs and strengthen stakeholder engagement. At the workshop, partners such as the World Bank and the US Embassy advocated for increased advocacy efforts to ensure lasting impact. Their message was clear: SAIs must boost the visibility and use of their work, and clearly show how they contribute to good governance and democracy.
Karan Vora from SAI India, who has been mentoring SAI Belize, shared, “Peer support means learning from how another SAI functions, understanding the different contexts they work in, and helping them overcome those challenges.”
That context sensitivity is part of what makes GSAI so effective. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a transformative platform that’s rooted in trust, adaptability, and learning from one another.
From Planning to Impact: What’s Next for SAIs in the Region?
The Belize Workshop marked the transition from GSAI’s first phase, which focused on laying foundations, to a more ambitious Phase 2 centred on strategic readiness, sustainability, and scale.
Together, SAIs used the workshop as an opportunity to co-develop their Phase 2 plans, align expectations, and take stock of the initiative’s progress with INTOSAI peers.
As IDI facilitator and Senior Manager Godwin Matte from IDI’s GSAI programme team noted, “Peer to peer support lies at the heart of the INTOSAI community, and this programme is a strong reflection of that spirit, as shown through the established partnerships between the four SAIs.”
With these plans in motion, SAI Belize and SAI Dominica are not just beneficiaries — they are now active partners working towards better accountability and oversight in the Caribbean region. And as GSAI continues to grow, their stories remind us that even in the most challenging contexts, institutions can evolve, trust can be built, and oversight can become a force for real change.
When the work of SAIs is visible, empowered, and connected, everyone benefits.
Learn more about this initiative