🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Egypt to expand participatory budgeting nationwide after successful pilot programs
via Egypt Today1 min read
Egypt is preparing to implement its participatory budgeting model across all governorates, following successful pilot programs in Beni Suef, Fayoum, and Alexandria. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk stated that this initiative aims to present state budget execution from the perspective of service beneficiaries, emphasizing that the national budget focuses on services and development programs that directly impact citizens. He added that citizen involvement improves spending efficiency, defines local priorities in health, education, and economic empowerment, and enhances transparency and public awareness of fiscal policy. Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom described this as a step towards modernizing public finance management and performance-based budgeting, enabling citizens to identify development gaps and propose solutions. Officials noted that youth contributions in Beni Suef have already led to practical interventions in health, education, social protection, and local development. UNICEF representative Natalie Meyer highlighted that collaboration between institutions and communities can lead to more effective public spending, underscoring the importance of investing in children for Egypt's future. The government plans to expand the model to additional governorates in the next phase.
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