by IBP Consultant | Feb 22, 2013
By Hugo Noe Pino (Instituto Centroamericano de Estudios Fiscales).
This case study looks at how the preparation and publication of the Open Budget Survey 2010 in Honduras increased awareness of Honduras’ budget transparency problems. The increased attention given to these issues brought together local civil society organizations, the International Budget Partnership, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the government of Honduras to make progress on budget transparency. Also, the IBP’s technical assistance to the government of Honduras played an important role in the recent publication of budget documents, which combined with a strong government will have provided the basis for public finance management reforms. Although the main incentive for the government to improve its budget transparency was initially to increase foreign aid contributions, citizen-led efforts to demand reform are growing.
The one-page summary and full version of this case study are available in English.
by Jay | Feb 20, 2013
By Nematullah Bizhan (Australian National University).
This case study discusses major improvements in government budget transparency and public engagement in Afghanistan, presenting an analysis of the roles of the following actors in the trend toward more open budgeting: 1) the International Budget Partnership, foreign donors, civil society organizations, and the media; 2) the government; and 3) the legislature. This paper argues that by increasing its OBI score from 8 in 2008 to 21 in 2010, Afghanistan has made important progress, though it still remains below average. But donors, CSOs, and to some extent the media are putting increasing pressure on the government to improve its Public Financial Management system. A pragmatic and holistic approach that includes a legal and institutional framework will be required for budget transparency to become an instrument for confidence building in the Afghan state.
by Jay | Feb 13, 2013
By Claire Schouten (Integrity Action) and Jean-Pierre Samolia Monamoto (independent consultant).
This case study analyzes the role of civil society in the reform of public finances, budget transparency, and public participation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With pressure from IBP’s partner, the Réseau Gouvernance Economique et Démocratie (REGED), the government of DRC took several new steps to improve government transparency. For the first time, it published a range of budget documents, including the Executive’s Budget Proposal and budget timetable, and also included transparency provisions in several new public finance laws and regulations. This case study will describe the events that led to the new provisions for transparency and will also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the strategy used to pursue these goals. The one page summary and full version of this case study are available in English.
