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South Africa: IDASA and the Budget Information Service

South Africa: IDASA and the Budget Information Service. Finnish Aid in a PRS Context Helsinki Workshop 19-22 May 2003. Why this case study?. IDASA/BIS: Example of extremely effective budget work done by an local NGO in Africa Africa Budget Project/Civil Society Budget Initiative:

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South Africa: IDASA and the Budget Information Service

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  1. South Africa: IDASA and the Budget Information Service Finnish Aid in a PRS Context Helsinki Workshop 19-22 May 2003

  2. Why this case study? • IDASA/BIS: Example of extremely effective budget work done by an local NGO in Africa • Africa Budget Project/Civil Society Budget Initiative: Example of INGO support to local NGOs wanting to develop budget analysing

  3. History of IDASA • Set up 1986- effort to create a safe space for dialogue between those in power and liberation movements • 1994 first democratic elcetion in 1994 • Established BIS (Budget Information Service) after the 1994 elections. • Aiming to promote smooth flow of public policy information between government and citizens

  4. SA context • Post-Apartheid South Africa- context of declining growth and huge inequality • Need to reorient resources towards the excluded 80% • Focus efforts on reprioritising the budget and service delivery from 3ary, middle class white people to 1ary services for low income black people in the rural areas

  5. BIS goals • To produce timely, critical, objective and accessible information on the impact of the budget on poor people • To enhance the participation of legislatures and CS in the budget processes

  6. They believe that inclusive budgeting will: Support development and poverty reduction by- • Building citizens commitment to tough policy choices • Improving budget and poverty decision-making and programme impact

  7. Initial targets • Legislators- little experience, acquiescent, not budget literate, little oversight capacity • NGOs and CSOs- providing services which were the responsibility of the state, shift in role of sector post-apartheid- advocacy, research, accountability and oversight, needed new skills

  8. The programme • Capacity building for effective participation- 1000 people a year • Providing decision makers with research analysis, information etc about the impact of budget on the poor • Researching the budget system and advocating changes that are pro-poor and pro-participation

  9. Their approach • High technical competence in a non-traditional NGO area • Understanding the constraints govt faces • Working with/within govt policy goals • ‘Critical ally’

  10. BIS as an INGO: The Africa Budget Project • Aims to build CS and legislature capacity to participate effectively in budget processes in African countries • In 3 years has introduced 100 organisations across Africa • Substantive work with 17 organisation • In Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and this year Namibia, Botswana, Cameroon, Burkina Faso …

  11. Africa Budget Project • organisations across Africa • Substantive work with 17 organisation • In Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and this year Namibia, Botswana, Cameroon, Burkina Faso …

  12. How? • Through training and joint research projects which assist in obtaining the technical language required • Through joint research projects and information management activities which provide research instruments and analysis frameworks that groups can apply to gain a credible voice

  13. Through networking and the facilitation of contact between organisations so enabling the dissemination of success stories • Through technical assistance we provide one-on-one support to organisations at critical points in their development • Through working with international organisations aiming to improve the transparency of budgets and build the credibility of civil society in budgetary debates

  14. Activities • Joint research studies and books • Structured Training Course Modules • Training and Technical Assistance on Demand • Exchange Programmes • Radio Programmes

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