Participatory Budgeting Pilot in Albania News from the Field: May – November 2004 Arsala Dean & André Herzog

Highlights Budget Process – Rules of the Game Inclusion of vulnerable groups Budget Transparency Dynamics of Participation

Budget Process What Improved Challenges Suggestions for the Future The first time the budget was publicly discussed. Citizens were empowered –they had a mechanism to express their needs in the budget process. Challenges Clarification of the Rules of the Game Sporadic information flow Management of expectations Coordination of activities need improvement Unclear budget prioritizing criteria Confusion with World Bank image Suggestions for the Future Better explanation of PB objectives Involvement of citizens in coordination of PB activities and monitoring investments Further decentralization of activities Strengthen ownership

Inclusion - Vulnerable Groups What Improved Vulnerable groups have a channel to be included in Budget Process LG has a better mechanism to target their needs Challenges Where are they? the women? the poorest? the Children? the Disabled? the Newcomers? Suggestions for the Future Create a specific strategy to include vulnerable groups in PB Don’t bring the vulnerable to the PB but bring the PB to the vulnerable people Elect Women PB Council Representatives Demonstrate Results Use the Poverty Map to target resources to vulnerable groups, monitoring continuously impact

Information Transparency What Improved Citizens understood the budgeting process and received budget figures Citizens have a better understanding of the budgetary limitations of LG Citizens are made aware of their neighbors’ realities Challenges Limited Human – Technical Capacity to manage budget information Interruption in information flow in August/September Information dissemination tools not always effective Suggestions for the Future User friendly information and communication means Diversification of communication strategy Increase involvement of citizen reps, facilitators in the organization of the PB to bridge current information gaps Set-up a citizen information desk

Dynamics of Participation What Improved From total disbelief and indifference to gradual increase in participation Real trust building between government and citizens Opportunity to break with void participatory projects and false promises Challenges Political interference, greater risk on election year Uneven motivation and involvement of administrative staff Accessibility to PB meetings, particularly to rural villages Time constraints, particularly to women Suggestions for the Future Earlier involvement of local councils Take advantage of all opportunities to show results of the PB to strengthen trust

The PB Virtuous Cycle… PARTICIPATION TRUST TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY