Open Budgets Blog | International Budget Partnership

ASHA workers lead the way in the fight against COVID-19

by Aheli Chowdhury, Action Research Lead, IBP India & Trupti Malti, Project Officer, SATHI — Sep 03, 2020

Accredited Social Health Activists, commonly referred to as ASHA workers in India, have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the charge to ensure the most vulnerable community members get the resources they need. This blog tells the story of one of those workers, Kalpana, who has emerged as a community health advocate in her village.

Dalit woman sparks hope for manual scavengers during COVID-19 pandemic

by Pooja Parvati, Country Manager, IBP India — Aug 31, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the most vulnerable people in India have been particularly hard-hit and face challenges accessing relief programs. This post tells the story of Ranjitha – a Dalit woman who has sparked hope by leading relief distribution efforts in her community.

Blind Budgets: How governments hide the impact of fiscal policies on poverty and inequality (and what they could do instead)

by Paolo de Renzio, International Budget Partnership— Aug 28, 2020

One of the key questions ordinary citizens ask about government budgets is “how will it affect me?” This is even more relevant during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, when poverty and inequality worsen, and governments are called on to provide assistance to those most in need.

Budget analysis and advocacy is a vital step in defunding police and instituting needed reforms of justice systems world-wide

by David Robins, IBP— Aug 20, 2020

The murder of George Floyd by police officers in the United States sparked waves of Black Lives Matter protests across the country and around the world. Rising out of the movement came a call, one with a specific budget emphasis: Defund the Police. In order to understand what this means and how we can reform policing and institute change, budget analysis and advocacy is a necessary step.

A new social contract for a post-pandemic world

by Warren Krafchik and Paolo de Renzio*— Aug 19, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity for civic actors to push governments in the direction of realizing more equitable and inclusive societies. However, realizing that vision will mean a new social contract between citizens and governments – one that benefits everyone, rather than a privileged few.

Benin as a regional leader: expanding fiscal transparency and inclusion during a time of crisis

by Alex Kreko, Program Officer, International Budget Partnership— Aug 18, 2020

This blog explores how Benin – which now ranks as the most transparent country in Francophone Africa on the Open Budget Index (OBI) – has expanded fiscal transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in recent years.

Le Bénin en tant que leader régional : accroître la transparence et l’inclusion fiscales en temps de crise

by Alex Kreko, Chargé de programme, International Budget Partnership— Aug 18, 2020

Cet article est également disponible en anglais. Alors que la pandémie de la COVID-19 continue de bouleverser la vie quotidienne dans le monde entier, les gouvernements se sont empressés d’utiliser tous les outils fiscaux possibles pour protéger la santé et les moyens de subsistance de leurs citoyens. Il est important de veiller à ce que leur […]

Using the Open Budget Survey results to promote change: A conversation with the government reviewer for Indonesia

Aug 13, 2020

In a recent interview with IBP’s Cosette Highfill, IGA Krisna Murti RS — the most recent OBS government reviewer for Indonesia — reflected on how the government used the OBS and input from civil society to help spur change.

Open budgets are a good investment, for business and society

by Robin Hodess, Director of Governance & Transparency, The B Team— Aug 12, 2020

Fiscal transparency is critical as business and government look to rebuild economies across the globe. The case made for ‘open’ government budget systems often emphasizes the benefits to citizens and society, but open budgets are good for business, too.

Our money, our responsibility: how civil society can follow the COVID-19 money trail

by Vivek Ramkumar, IBP— Jul 31, 2020

In the past few months, governments have announced billions of dollars in emergency spending to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and civil society groups have been encouraged to “follow the money.” This blog explores how groups can follow the COVID-19 money trail.