GBWN Community session titled Shaping Budgets Together – How can citizens and CSOs join the conversation? took place on 23th of April 2025 from 2-4pm CET.
Speakers: Sara Osmani, Miomirka Mila Melank, Albana Rexha, and Resmije Rahmani
In April 2025, a dynamic and insightful community session brought together experts, civil society representatives, government officials, and community leaders to explore the evolving landscape of participatory and gender-responsive budgeting in the Western Balkans and Moldova. Titled “Shaping Budgets Together – How Citizens and CSOs Join the Conversation,” the session provided a platform for sharing experiences, identifying key challenges, and highlighting best practices that can shape more inclusive and accountable budgetary processes.
Building Inclusive Participation
A central theme of the session was the importance—and difficulty—of ensuring that public consultations and participatory budgeting efforts genuinely reflect the voices of all community members, particularly marginalized groups such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. Speakers emphasized that while legislative frameworks are in place, practical barriers such as inaccessible venues, lack of transportation, and language exclusion often hinder participation.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) were recognized as key actors in bridging these gaps. Their trusted presence within communities allows them to mobilize diverse groups, build awareness, and promote trust in public institutions. Innovative outreach strategies—ranging from digital communication platforms like WhatsApp and Viber to printed notices in local shops—have proven effective in reaching underrepresented populations. Additionally, using disaggregated data (by gender, age, ethnicity, and disability) during consultations helps monitor inclusivity and tailor engagement strategies accordingly.
Transparency and Accountability in Practice
Another critical aspect discussed was transparency in the consultation process. For public trust to grow, municipalities must clearly report on which citizen proposals are accepted or rejected—and why. This level of accountability not only fosters confidence but also encourages deeper civic engagement.
Facilitators also play a vital role in creating inclusive spaces. Skilled moderation ensures that meetings are welcoming and that all participants—especially those from vulnerable groups—have the opportunity to voice their concerns. Guidelines and training for facilitators were identified as essential tools to prevent dominant voices from overshadowing others and to ensure equitable dialogue.
Institutional Support and Remaining Gaps
Despite the existence of national mandates requiring ministries to allocate gender-responsive budgets and to report on them, implementation at the local level remains inconsistent. Many municipalities have adopted regulations supporting participatory budgeting, but the depth and quality of these processes vary. Continued capacity-building, sustained political will, and institutional support are needed to translate policy into impactful practice.
The session also spotlighted specific challenges, such as inadequate accommodations for persons with disabilities and insufficient language access for minority communities. One pressing example shared was the failure to fund specialized medical equipment for children with disabilities, despite prior public commitments—underscoring the need for follow-through and meaningful budgeting aligned with real community needs.
The Role of Civil Society and the Way Forward
Throughout the session, the role of civil society was repeatedly emphasized as a driving force for change. CSOs not only raise awareness and connect communities to government institutions but also advocate for inclusive policies and targeted investments, such as subsidies for women in agriculture and sports.
Participants recommended institutionalizing successful models, simplifying communication materials, and conducting both targeted and general consultations. These strategies would ensure broader representation and help embed inclusive budgeting practices in long-term governance.
Conclusion
The April 2025 session reaffirmed that while progress has been made in participatory and gender-responsive budgeting, much remains to be done. True inclusivity and effective implementation require ongoing collaboration, creativity, and commitment from all stakeholders. Only by working together—citizens, CSOs, and government actors—can we build transparent, responsive, and equitable budget processes that serve the diverse needs of all communities in the Western Balkans and Moldova.
