Budget Monitoring

How persistence, proactiveness, partnership and social media bridged the access to information gap in Mombasa

by by: Josephine Nyamai, PFM practitioner& Budget Facilitator, Mombasa County— Sep 25, 2020

Kenya has a firm legal and regulatory framework governing access to information. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, Article 35, further elaborated by the Access to Information Act 2016, guarantees citizens the right to access information. Section 7(3) of PFM regulations, 2015, specifically demands that budget information be publicized within seven days.[1]In addition to the national […]

Citizens, Civil Society and Auditors: COVID-19 requires an “ecosystem” approach to accountability

by Brendan Halloran, International Budget Partnership— Sep 15, 2020

During the COVID-19 crisis, governments are taking the necessary steps to save lives and prevent families from falling into poverty and hardship in the short term, however, it is likely that funds meant to strengthen public health infrastructure and reach vulnerable groups will be mismanaged. This is an opportunity for public auditors to ensure that public money is well spent during and after the crisis.

Large-scale debt swaps can help fight debt, climate change and nature loss together

by Paul Steele, Chief Economist, International Institute for Environment and Development— Sep 14, 2020

This post, authored by Paul Steele of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), explores their report on a new form of debt swaps that could provide developing countries with an opportunity for a green post-COVID-19 recovery that would also help reduce poverty.

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.

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.