Participatory Budgeting in Africa

Introduction of participatory budgeting can be a sound vehicle in realizing good governance and fighting poverty. It is a mechanism that involves elected leaders, public officials, service providers, and non-state actors - civil society, private sector and development partners. This Training Companion is part of the effort to build capacity of local government practitioners in introducing participatory budgeting in local government in Africa. The Companion was developed with a view to providing users with Information, tool, methodologies, case studies and tips on how participatory budgeting can be introduced. The materials in the Companion were collected from various local governments in Africa and beyond that are already practicing participatory budgeting. Users are encouraged to adopt the material to their local condition. Volume 1: Concepts and Principles, introduces participatory budgeting, outlines key tenets of the traditional budget cycle, and looks at the cycle, dimensions and conditions for participatory budgeting. Volume 2: Facilitation methods, covers introduction and implementation of participatory budgeting with examples and experiences from eastern and southern Africa, Latin America and Europe. It also discusses the main constraints to implementing participatory budgeting in Africa.