This week, the Melitopol and Berdiansk city state administrations and IBSER implementing the USAID Municipal Finance Strengthening Initiative (MFSI-II) Rollout project have signed Memorandums of collaboration. These memos testify of the cities’ willingness to implement participatory budgeting. Melitopol and Berdiansk became the first out of 14 selected cities to sign memos.
The common goal of the parties is collaboration in engaging citizens directly in a decision-making process, in particular, that related to the allocation of budget funds for implementation of priority projects of municipal development. As part of this collaboration, the cities will get assistance in the following areas:
1) methodological assistance through support in developing a concept of participatory budget and the essential executive document;
2) technical support through development of an electronic system for participatory budget and its operational support for the first period of formation of the draft city budget; and
3) organizational assistance through support in the promotion and practical implementation of participatory budget, which would include delivery of training seminars, information and outreach activities for the general public, including print and dissemination of information materials, and other communication activities.
The scope of the above mentioned activities will ensure the effective citizens' engagement in the municipal budget process and strengthen the transparency of spending public funds.
It is expected that the rest cities will sign the same Memorandum with IBSER in the nearest future.
Glyanec