Type
Workshop
CIFAL Tbilisi - Strengthening Public Participation in Local Budget Processes in Georgia
Emplacement
Cascais, Portugal
Date
-
Durée
3 Days
Zone du programme
Decentralize Cooperation Programme
Site internet
Prix
0.00 $US
Personne de référence de l'évenement
vbaramia@epfound.ge
Partenariat
CIFAL Tbilisi
Europe Foundation
Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT)
Inscription
Invitation-only event
Mode de livraison
Blended
Langue (s)
English
Pilier
Population
Objectifs de l'événement
By the end of the training, participants will be able to: • Understand the principles and value of public participation in fiscal policy; • Analyze current gaps and opportunities in Georgian municipal budgeting processes based on the 2024 assessment findings; • Apply GIFT’s 10 Public Participation Principles to real-world cases; • Adapt participatory budgeting practices to local contexts, especially considering the needs of marginalized groups such as people with disabilities, women, and youth; Collaborate and share experiences with peers to build a community of practice around inclusive budgeting.
Arrière plan
Since 2019, the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT) and the Europe Foundation have been collaborating to enhance public participation in budget processes in Georgia. While recent assessments, including a 2024 study of 11 municipalities, indicate progress in fostering participatory governance, significant challenges persist in aligning local practices with international standards, civil society organizations (CSOs) remain critical actors in advocating for transparency and accountability, yet many require further support to meaningfully engage in budget processes. This training initiative is part of the broader Civil Society Monitoring Public Administration Reform and Service Delivery project, supported by the European Union, and implemented by Association Anika, in partnership with Europe Foundation.
Objectifs d'apprentissage
By the end of the training, participants will be able to: • Understand the principles and value of public participation in fiscal policy; • Analyze current gaps and opportunities in Georgian municipal budgeting processes based on the 2024 assessment findings; • Apply GIFT’s 10 Public Participation Principles to real-world cases; • Adapt participatory budgeting practices to local contexts, especially considering the needs of marginalized groups such as people with disabilities, women, and youth; Collaborate and share experiences with peers to build a community of practice around inclusive budgeting.
Contenu et structure
The training is structured over three days, beginning with an online session and followed by two in-person workshop days—to provide a balanced mix of conceptual grounding, evidence-based learning, practical exercises, and reflection. The design strategically builds from foundational knowledge to applied skills, enabling participants to gradually internalize the GIFT Public Participation Principles and explore their relevance in the Georgian municipal context. Day 1: Foundations and Local Realities (Online, June 23, 2025) This session introduces the training framework and lays the groundwork for understanding public participation in fiscal policy. It includes: • Presentation on Key Concepts of Public Participation in Budgeting, providing the theoretical foundation for the entire training. • Presentation of the 2024 Assessment Results, highlighting strengths, gaps, and actionable recommendations based on recent evaluations of 11 Georgian municipalities. • Interactive Q&A and Feedback Round to contextualize findings and engage participants in discussion. Day 2: GIFT Public Participation Principles in Action – Part I (In-person, Cascais, June 28, 2025) This day focuses on a deep dive into the first six GIFT Public Participation Principles (PPP 1–6), combining expert insights with group analysis of an international best practice case: • Presentation of PPP 1–3 (Accessibility, Openness, Inclusiveness) followed by a group exercise analyzing the Cascais Participatory Budgeting case using a structured worksheet. • Group presentations allow participants to share insights and learn from peer observations. • Presentation of PPP 4–6 (Respect for Self-expression, Timeliness, Sustainability) with a second round of interactive case analysis. • Sessions conclude with a report-back and reflection, helping participants synthesize lessons and prepare for the next day. Day 3: GIFT Public Participation Principles in Action – Part II (In-person, Cascais, June 29, 2025) The final day concludes the exploration of the GIFT principles, with a strong focus on application and adaptation to local Georgian realities: • Presentation of PPP 7–10 (Complementarity, Responsiveness, Evaluation, Openness to Innovation), concluding the full overview of GIFT principles. • Group analysis of the Cascais case through the lens of PPP 7–10, encouraging participants to consider the operationalization of advanced participation practices. • A dedicated group reflection session on adapting PPPs to Georgia, focusing on inclusive practices for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. This session encourages participants to prioritize the principles most critical for local implementation.
Méthodologie
The training uses an interactive and participatory approach, combining expert presentations with hands-on exercises, group discussions, and peer learning. Participants engage in case studies—particularly the Cascais participatory budgeting example—to analyze and apply the GIFT principles. Reflection activities and prioritization exercises ensure that learning is grounded in the Georgian context, allowing participants to explore how international standards can be locally adapted. Pre- and post-training assessments are used to measure learning outcomes and improve training design.
Audience visée
civil society organizations
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