1. The CITIZENS BUDGET Budget Office MINISTRY OF FINANCE

2. What is a Citizens Budget? A Citizens Budget is a non-technical presentation of the Government budget which is intended to enable the public, including those who are not familiar with public finance, understand Government plans. – It is a report to the people, presented in an accessible format using simple and clear language they can understand:

3. Ahaa!… I see… Source: The Power of Making It Simple 2010, IBP

4. Countries that have published a Citizens Budget BrazilKenya El SalvadorMalawi GuatemalaSouth Africa IndiaDemocratic Republic of Congo New ZealandMali NorwayNigeria Sri LankaRwanda United KingdomUganda ChileIndonesia FranceSweden HondurasMexico IndonesiaSouth Korea Source: International Budget Partnership 2010

5. Characteristics of Citizens Budget Document that summarizes and explains basic budget information for a given period (usually a fiscal year). Explains how Government collects, distributes and uses public resources. Highlights budget priorities.

6. Characteristics of Citizens Budget (2) Presents a broad introduction to key components of the budget. Provides illustrations on how the budget will impact ordinary citizens. Promotes transparency and access to budget information. Key Insight: Clear language and accessible formats in a document that is produced deliberately for ordinary citizens.

7. Inadequacy of Ordinary Public Budgets Information in Ordinary Budgets is often complex and fragmented. Budget documents are produced to fulfill the information needs of the Government (highly technical & specialized language). Budget information is usually inaccessible & people do not know how to start enquiring about the budget.

8. Inadequacy of Ordinary Public Budgets (2) Budget information rarely responds to people’s information needs. Therefore, understanding why Government is collecting taxes from the people, and where people’s money is going, is DIFFICULT. Meanwhile: All Public Budgets are developed in order to address theneeds of the people.

9. Benefits of Citizens Budget To the People: Increased knowledge of what Government is doing (or not doing) for the people. Enhanced capacity to effectively participate in Government affairs. Provides means of holding Governments accountable for planned deliverables. Provides linkage, if any, between tax collections & public services. Builds interest and capacity to monitor progress of government projects.

10. Benefits of Citizens Budget (2) To Government: Means of demonstrating that Govt holds itself accountable to the public. Serves as a tool for: – providing civic education. – explaining how budget is formulated, enacted & executed, and who is responsible at each stage. – clarifying which level of Govt (national or local) is responsible for performing different governmental functions. This greater clarity can ease Govt’s work by minimizing misdirected inquiries from public. Builds capacity in public to monitor government projects. Enhances Government’s legitimacy and sincerity in the eyes of the public

11. Principles of a Citizens Budget Information should be useful for public knowledge and participation (not merely political propaganda). Developed after identifying public's info needs (identify what people can do with info & the opportunities for participation) Should create public dialogue (interactions- feedback).

12. Content of a Citizens Budget Formats, material, design & detail of information presented in a Citizens Budget varies according to specific needs of the public in each country. However, basic requirements include: – Govt’s main objectives, budget measures & new policy initiatives (using non-technical jargon) – Revenue Mobilisation (Amounts & means of mobilising) – Spending priorities (Information on sector-specific & targeted strategic programmes) – Cartoons & illustrations to emphasize policy priorities. – Budget terminology (glossary)

13. FEATURES OF THE 2013 CITIZENS BUDGET Simple & Non Technical English Version Cartoons & text boxes to illustrate policy priorities Key Information in 2013 Budget Easily Accessible

14. CONTENT OF THE 2013 CITIZENS BUDGET  Economic Policy Objectives  How Government will raise money  Tax Policy Measures  Where Government will spend money  Allocation of the Eurobond Proceeds  Glossary for certain words *******************************************

15. Examples of Cartoons Used to Illustrate Govt Policy

16. The Citizens Budget Unpacked! What Government has done to reduce the cost of doing business; How Government is putting more money in your pocket! How Government is facilitating small business development ! How Government intends to support value addition and employment creation; What is being done to encourage saving and Investment; How Government is improving health care.

17. The Citizens Budget Unpacked! How Government has allocated resources to attain economic diversification Governments efforts to support infrastructure development! Efforts to enhance good governance, youth empowerment and social Security! Expenditure allocations to the various sectors

18. Agriculture Energy Tourism Transport Education Health

19. Way Forward Since this is first CB in Zambia, it was not possible to get input from all key stakeholders. However, in order to provide useful input into future CBs, Government expects reactions from stakeholders on the following: – Format & content of future CB. – Specific versions of CB: Sector specific, sub-national specific, tax measures, region specific, etc – Whether CB should be published in main local languages and/or brail. – Time for publishing CB. – Effective methods of distribution: media, websites, traditional leaders, civic leaders, etc

20. Enjoy Reading the Citizens Budget We look forward to your feed back