Fifteen civil society organisations have strengthened their knowledge in monitoring and analysing budget expenses at both local and central levels

From July to September 2023, these 15 civil society organisations, beneficiaries of the “Civil Society for European Integration” project, participated in five thematic training sessions related to the monitoring and analysis of budget expenses.  The training sessions aimed at enhancing the organisations’ capacities to support and promote the alignment of budgetary priorities with the Europeanisation agenda at the national and local levels, as well as at increasing their involvement in the decision-making.

The training addressed the general concepts of civic participation in the budgetary process at both the local and central levels; fundamental tools for budget monitoring; the role of advocacy; aligning the budgetary process with the Europeanisation agenda; and defining, deciphering and monitoring budget expenses in the social, economic and justice sectors.

The training focused on both theoretical and practical aspects. Participants had the opportunity to practice how to use data analysis tools for budgetary expenditures alongside subject-matter experts, and to analyse case studies from both the central and local levels. All of this was designed to contribute to a better understanding of the presented topics.   

In their feedback and evaluation of the training sessions, participants highly appreciated the quality of the training (with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5). This indicates that the knowledge and skills acquired will be valuable and relevant for the current and future work of their organisations.   

Representatives of the 15 civil society organisations, local partners of the project, have gained the necessary expertise to become more actively involved in the budgetary process and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including local and central authorities, to formulate and advocate for the needs of the community and its citizens.

In the coming months, experts will mentor these organisations and will help them develop 30 analytical reports addressing the planning and execution of budget expenses in various areas, such as local and regional infrastructure projects and social services. They will provide concrete recommendations, promoting a transparent and efficient budgetary process, in line with the association agenda priorities.

The trainings took place within the “Civil Society for European Integration” Project, financed by the European Union and co-financed by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, which is implemented by the Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup, as the lead partner, in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES).