In September 2022, FSVC received funding from the U.S. Department of State to launch a program promoting budget transparency through grassroots and civil society-led initiatives, while supporting the implementation of public financial management reforms in Mauritania.
FSVC structured practical, demand-driven activities designed to equip the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (GIRM) to undertake reforms on its own, ensuring sustainability following the completion of the program. FSVC’s program objectives were to:
1) Build capacity of CSOs to analyze budget and promote budget transparency.
FSVC built a cadre of CSOs that are more effective and proactive in 1) monitoring the execution of national and foreign aid budgets, 2) promoting greater budget transparency and disclosure of key budget documents, and 3) improving their participation in the formulation, and governance of, budgets.
2) Strengthen GIRM budget disclosure, planning and audit capability.
FSVC assisted the GIRM on their disclosure, planning and audit capabilities by 1) introducing international budget watchdog agencies and their methodology for assessing budget processes; 2) assisting the Ministry of Finance in drafting and disseminating a Citizens Budget and reviewing the Mid-Year Review template; and 3) working with the Supreme Audit Institution (Cour des Comptes) on enhancing audit reports.
Program Impact
- Designed a strategic roadmap to help the Ministry of Finance lead the effective implementation of the results-based budgeting framework with select line ministries. The roadmap will support the successful adherence of GIRM institutions to the new reform.
- Supported the development, publication and dissemination of Mauritania’s first ever Citizens Budget, available in five local languages. The Citizens Budget wide dissemination has promoted transparency and encouraged public participation in budget monitoring.
- Trained 416 local CSO representatives in budget transparency principles. 65% of participants demonstrated increased knowledge on open budget best practices.
- Trained 24 representatives from local CSOs in how to initiate the Open Budget Survey (OBS) process.
- Facilitated two groundbreaking public-private roundtables, hosted by the Ministry of Finance, to obtain feedback from CSOs on Mauritania’s inaugural Citizens Budget.
- Trained 52 government representatives in open budget principles and how to successfully implement the Results-Based Budgeting framework within line ministries. This helped align the GIRM’s budget process with international best practices, and enhanced budget planning and execution. 78% of participants increased their knowledge of international budget standards.
- Supported the Supreme Audit Institution by providing tailored workshops to improve audit report quality and foster transparency in government spending.
- Implemented a Small Grants Program that assisted four local CSOs in conducting fiscal transparency project, as a result of which a CSO coalition was established.
- Local subgrantees implemented a total of ten workshops training 258 local CSO representatives in key principles of budget transparency and oversight and the critical role of civil society in overseeing and managing public finances at the local level.