Budget Literacy and Transparency Working Group Key Outcomes and Prospects Anna Belenchuk, Head of the Working Group February 25, 2016

Working Group Factsheet Goal: disseminate transparency and budget literacy practices across PEMPAL countries based on review of similar international projects Objectives: Review best international practice in transparency and budget literacy Exchange knowledge with budget experts from the Working Group member countries with a view to designing standard approaches to implementing similar projects Create new BCOP knowledge products based on accumulated outputs, such as recommendations on implementing similar projects in PEMPAL countries Working Group members (14): Albania, Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Croatia, Turkey, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Romania, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova.

11 out of 14 countries have adopted national curricula and foundation programs to encourage budget literacy instruction as part of established curricula/subjects (e.g. Civil Studies, Social Sciences) (Albania, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan). All these countries have adopted tertiary-level programs. 5 of these countries have adopted both tertiary- and secondary-level curricula (Croatia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan). 1 country has adopted curricula across all three levels of education – tertiary, secondary, and primary (Uzbekistan). 5 countries also noted that they have “other” foundation programs (Belarus, Croatia, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Ukraine). 3 out of 14 countries do not have national curricula or foundation programs (Armenia, Romania, and Turkey). PEMPAL E-Survey on Improving Budget Literacy (April, 2015): Key Findings

Participants (10): Armenia, Belarus, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. First Working Group Meeting in Poland (Warsaw) May 20, Country cases from Canada, UK and the Russian Federation were presented at the first meeting showcasing various approaches to making it easier for citizens to understand government budgets by adopting Citizens Budgets, information portals, student projects, and a core curriculum for schools. 2. The findings of a survey conducted prior to the workshop were presented which identified the status of budget transparency and budget literacy reforms in the Working Group countries. 1. Country cases from Canada, UK and the Russian Federation were presented at the first meeting showcasing various approaches to making it easier for citizens to understand government budgets by adopting Citizens Budgets, information portals, student projects, and a core curriculum for schools. 2. The findings of a survey conducted prior to the workshop were presented which identified the status of budget transparency and budget literacy reforms in the Working Group countries.

Topic: Review of International Budget Literacy Practices Based on a Survey of Over 30 Countries Second Working Group Meeting (VC) September 14, 2015 Participants (7): Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyz Republic, Romania, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Croatia. KEY LESSONS: Incorporating BL in school curricula Utilize existing subject curricula as entry points to teach budget literacy. Adopt a gradual, tiered approach to educate students about public budgets that begins at the primary school level. Continue to rely on a tiered approach for budget literacy instruction during secondary level schooling. Emphasize both civic competence and technical knowledge to capture the true essence of budget literacy. Use budget literacy contents to convey a range of interesting facts, initiate stimulating discussions and pose real-life challenges to students. Developing Diverse Methods and Materials to Teach Budget Literacy Use instruction methods which make learning about public budgets relevant and compelling for students. Arrange for the students to receive feedback on their contributions to budget processes, to the extent possible. Develop pedagogical materials which can accommodate the varying knowledge of educators regarding budget literacy. Building Capacity to Promote Budget Literacy Education Collaborate with relevant stakeholders while designing and implementing measures to strengthen budget literacy. Explore various means of providing on-going support to educators.

Participants (10): Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kyrgyz Republic, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine Third Working Group Meeting in Croatia (Zagreb) December 1-4, 2015 Key lessons learned from Croatia: 1.Incorporating transparency standards into the legislation is a must to enhance transparency. 2.Proper transparency standards must be put in place across all government levels. 3. The key to successful reforms, better budget transparency and citizen engagement is close collaboration between ministries and government levels, and leveraging modern IT technologies (e-government). … and 12 more lessons identified by the study tour participants.

Action Plan ActionTimeframe Current FY 1. Fourth Working Group meeting in Minsk (15 member countries) Currently 2. Designing a conceptual framework for the PEMPAL methodological guidelines on Citizens Budgets Summer of 2016 Next FY 1. VC on the Working Group’s knowledge products (PEMPAL methodological guidelines on Citizens Budgets) Fall of Working Group meeting in the context of the All-Russian Conference on Improving Budget Data Transparency and Budget Literacy Spring of Possible discussions in the context of BCOP PEMPAL events As needed

Thank you for your attention!