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2. Can civil society budget groups contribute to governance and combating corruption?

3. The growth of independent applied budget groups
Definition: Budget Groups
First wave: 1990 – 1999
Countries, catalysts and work
Second wave: 1999 –

4. The case against civil society participation
Budgets must be secret or volatile markets will result.
CSOs can destroy budget integrity.
CSOs pursue sectional interests.
Government has mandate to prepare the budget.

5. Budget groups – Types of work
Drafting: Priority setting (Kenya), PRSP (Uganda), MTEF (SA); Participatory budgeting (Brazil).
Legislature: Literacy (Croatia), training (Mexico, SA), and indep. analysis.

6. Budget groups – Types of work
Implementation: Impact information collation (Uganda, SA, India).
Auditing: Tightening accountability (India)

7. Examples of impact Mexico Presidential Fund
South Africa Public Finance Management Act
Russia in-kind taxation
Uganda education and health expenditures

8. The case for civil society participation
May improve commitment, quality of decisions and impact by:
Simplification and debate
Training
Bringing information to the debate
Independent critical analysis
Building accountability
Critical ally of govt.

9. Civil society budget groups – Key success factors
Focus on whole process
Dedicated capacity
Oversight partnership alliances.
Skills
Consistent funding
Linking with communities