The Challenges and Constraints of Introducing Participatory Budgeting as a Tool for Resource Mobilization and Allocation and Realizing Good Governance in Africa 7th Edition of the Africa Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF), February 2nd 2007. By George Matovu, MDP-ESA gmatovu@mdpafrica.org.zw www.mdpafrica.org.zw
Contents Reflections on Governance Factors that precipitate Participatory Budgeting What is Participatory Budgeting Potential Benefits of Participatory Budgeting Contextual Challenges of Institutionalizing PB Establishing the right conditions for PB Obtaining the right legislative framework for PB Establishing the right gender mix Establishing and Managing the PB Cycle Establishing effective tracking, monitoring and Evaluation Operational Challenges Participatory Budgeting Knowledge and Action Support Facility at MDP-ESA
What is Participatory Budgeting Participatory Budgeting is as a process whereby communities work together with elected representatives (councilors) and officials to develop policies and budgets in order to meet the needs of the community. (Economic Justice Update July 2001).
Direct Beneficiaries Citizens Local governments Private sector Civil society groups Mayor Councillors
Potential Benefits for LG and CS Redirect local government investment towards the poor and poor neighborhoods Boosts local government revenues Enhances the capacity of decentralised governance Creates social cohesion and solidarity Improves the rapport between elected leaders and civil society groups Controls corruption Builds trust between citizens and local government
Contextual Challenges Establishing the right conditions for PB Obtaining the appropriate legislative frameworks for participation Establishing the appropriate Institutional Arrangement for Participatory Budgeting Maintaining effective monitoring, tracking and evaluation
The right conditions Political will Interest of the civil society A shared strategic vision Utilisation of traditional structures or leaders Clear rules of the game Availability of resources for investment Substantive local autonomy
Appropriate Legislative Framework Examples from: Kenya Mozambique Rwanda South Africa Tanzania Uganda Zimbabwe
Institutional Arrangement The project cycle Structural relations Regional and thematic dimensions Consultative meetings
Participatory Budget Cycle MARCH THROUGH JUNE FEBRUARY Participatory Budgeting (COP) Council in recess MARCH Preparations for the first regional and thematic round Councillors and delegates mobilize communities and sectors MARCH / APRIL First round : Regional and Thematic plenaries (Municipal) government reports on previous year s investment plan present current year s Government presents budgeting criteria and methodology agreed upon by COP for following year Community assesses previous year s investment plan Partial selection of delegates in proportion to the number of individuals attending the round First round : Regional and Thematic plenaries Intermediate meetings and plenaries (Regional and Thematic) Selection of priority demands and themes in regional and thematic meetings; Election of remaining delegates in proportion to the number of individuals attending the intermediate meeting with the largest quorum Organs of municipal government give information for debate on the community and present proposals Creation of committees to supervise work in progress Regional forums reactivated COP discusses and votes the Law of Budgetary Directives to be sent to the Municipal Legislative Body JUNE / JULY Second Round: Regional and Thematic plenaries demands presented Government gives account of expenses and expected income The 16 regions and 5 thematic areas hand in priorities and demands Election of PB Councilors: two councilors and two substitutes for every region and thematic area JULY / AUGUST The new Participatory Budgeting Council is inaugurated The agenda is decided: Internal rules, election of???? Committee, etc Election of PB Councilors: two councilors and two substitutes for every region and thematic area AUGUST DECEMBER THROUGH JULY 1997 Council meets for special discussions until the new council is inaugurated AUGUST / SEPTEMBER Government renders compatible community and institutional demands and priorities GAPLAN Drafts budget proposal Proposal is analyzed by the financial board of the Mayor, the Government Coordination and the secretariats NOVEMBER Legislative body votes budget proposal by November 30 Council supervises voting process OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER Council meets with secretariats to discuss their investment plans COP offers investment plan and councilors sign the document concerning investment plan for their region, thematic areas and the city as a whole. SEPTEMBER Budget proposal sent to the Mayor COP and government submit budget proposal to legislative body. Deadline September 30 Council discusses and votes budget proposal. COP discusses criteria for resource allocation. Agenda of meetings with secretariats established Allocation of resources programmed for every region
Conceptual Framework of Participatory Budgeting and Relationships Minister Submits LG s PB to Minister Full Council Submits proposed PB to Full Council Approved budget PB Budget PB Council Meetings: Voting on final priorities PM&E Group Citizens PB Council Public Meetings: Consolidates all priorities E l e c t e d D e l e g a t e s Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone n LOCAL GOVERNMENT Selection of delegates Workshops and Preparatory Meetings: Explains the PB process to all local communities and stakeholders Communication campaign LOCAL COMMUNITIES and STAKEHOLDERS Urban and Rural
Monitoring and Evaluation Participatory tracking, monitoring and evaluation Use of innovative tools Score cards Service delivery surveys Expenditure tracking
Operational Challenges Government ownership Confidence of traditionally marginalized groups Resistance from local politicians Multi-ethnicity and diversity Poor Communication Politicization of participation Community capacity High expectations
PB Facility at MDP-ESA The overall objective of the Facility is to promote PB as a campaign tool for realizing good governance in Africa especially for the benefit of the poor and traditionally marginalized groups
Components Networking Knowledge Development Knowledge Dissemination Learning Events and Action Support
Beneficiaries Elected officials, Civil servants, Technical professionals, Universities, NGOs and CBOs, Local government associations, and Development partners
Accomplishments E-Learning course on PB www.asaaf.org.zw/pb-corse1. A discussion forum on PB www.mdpafrica-pb.org.zw A Help Desk www.asaaf.org.zw On-line news magazine (www.mdpafrica.org.zw) Contact person: pkundishora@mdpafrica.org.zw
Upcoming A Training Companion on Participatory Budgeting in Africa (supported by UN-Habitat) Regional Workshop on Participatory Budgeting in Africa, March 6-8, 2007, Harare, Zimbabwe (Supported by FCM) 3 Regional Training Courses on Participatory Budgeting (supported by World Bank) 5 Pilot training seminars on PB (supported by UN- Habitat Contact person: tmumvuma@mdpafrica.org.zw
Thank you for your attention