2014年-世界发展银行全球_Empowering_Citizens_through_Budget_Transparency_and_Enhanced_School_Governance_in_the_Kaski_Dolakha_and_Nawalparasi_Districts_2页_882kb

Summary of the Budget Transparency Initiative in Kaski, Dolakha, and Nawalparasi Districts

Core Content

The Budget Transparency Initiative (BTI) is a project supported by the World Bank in three districts of Nepal—Kaski (mountain), Dolakha (hilly), and Nawalparasi (plains)—aimed at promoting budget transparency and enhancing school governance. The initiative seeks to empower citizens by increasing their understanding of public finances and involving them in the decision-making and oversight processes.

Main Objectives

The BTI has three primary objectives:

1. Simplification, analysis, and disclosure of budgets at national, district, and school levels.
2. Awareness and capacity building of government officials and stakeholders to foster public dialogue and demand-side governance.
3. Documentation and dissemination of budget information to ensure accessibility and transparency.

Implementation Activities

National- and District-Level Budget Simplification and Dissemination

• A budget literacy program was launched at both national and district levels.
• A Budget Literacy Handbook was developed, and national-level workshops were conducted for Constituent Assembly members.
• District-Level Budgetary Booklets were created, simplifying the Government of Nepal's Budget Book II.
• Over 1,000 copies of these booklets were distributed to key stakeholders, including Village Development Councils (VDCs), District Development Councils (DDCs), and civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Three dissemination workshops were held in each of the three districts to explain the budget formulation process and share findings from the Budget Book II.
• A study was conducted to analyze the flow of public funds for education programs and suggest better alignment with district priorities.
• A national roundtable discussion on budget analysis in education was held, with extensive media coverage.

Constituency-Level Fund Flows

• The Constituency Development Fund (CDF), introduced in 1992, is used by Constituent Assembly members to fund local development projects.
• A study on CDF grants in the three districts identified gaps in fund flow and utilization.
• A template and dissemination materials were developed to increase transparency in accessing and using CDF funds.
• These tools were designed to improve accountability and public engagement with local development initiatives.

School-Level Good Governance

• Community schools in Nepal serve 88% of students in grades 1-10, with 85% of the total education budget allocated to them.
• Annual social audits are required in each community school to ensure transparency and accountability.
• A Social Audit Gap Analysis was conducted in the three pilot districts to assess the implementation of the School Social Audit Guidelines.
• Training programs were held for 30 social audit facilitators, creating a dedicated workforce to support audits in 60 schools.
• A handbook, training guides, and case studies were developed to inform and guide future social audit activities.
• Additional tools and informational materials, such as My School At-a-Glance, School Governance Assessment Tool, and FAQs, were created to support school-level governance and transparency.

Key Outcomes and Feedback

• Stakeholders at all levels, including parents, government officials, and Constituent Assembly members, have shown high demand for budget transparency and simplification.
• The initiative has been well-received, with positive feedback from local communities and partner organizations.
• There is a strong enthusiasm for expanding the initiative to other districts and schools and broadening the budget literacy training to include journalists and civil society organizations.

Next Steps and Expansion

• Phase II of the initiative will focus on:
  • Disseminating the results of the pilot through media campaigns (posters, radio, TV, and brochures).
  • Expanding the Social Audit and Good Governance tools to all 75 districts in Nepal.
  • Increasing capacity-building activities in three regions and six additional districts through facilitator and school committee trainings.
  • Conducting a social audit gap analysis in more schools.
• The initiative has been integrated into the multidonor trust fund on public financial management, indicating its potential for broader implementation and policy influence.

NGO Partners and Support

• The initiative is being facilitated by two national NGOs: Policy Research and Development (PRAD) and Community School National Network (CSNN).
• These NGOs have played a crucial role in community mobilization, budget dissemination, and training of facilitators.
• A learning note has been produced to capture the outcomes and recommendations from the pilot.

Conclusion

The Budget Transparency Initiative is a comprehensive effort to enhance public accountability, community participation, and good governance in education. By simplifying and disseminating budget information at multiple levels and providing training and tools for social audits, the initiative has laid a strong foundation for sustainable and transparent public financial management in Nepal. The success of the pilot has encouraged the expansion of the program to cover all districts and further engage key stakeholders in the budget process.