Budget Monitoring Experiment in Dutch

neighborhood

MOVISIE cooperates with E-motive on reciprocal learning. The Brazilian budget

monitoring methodology is the second E-motive project implemented in the

Netherlands. The methodology is developed by the Brazilian Instituto de

Estudos Socioeconômicos (INESC, Institute for socio-economic studies).

Key in budget monitoring, as developed by ENESC, was linking the public budget and

human rights. It is a tool used in the Brazilian concept to increase social participation in

policy formulation and in monitoring implementation of the adopted budgets of various

governments. Because of budget monitoring, citizens, communities and other

organizations can gain insight into budgetary processes and allocation of resources.

MOVISIE, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool van Amsterdam)

and Oxfam-Novib worked together in the E-Motive program. Via this collaboration the

methodology was also implemented in the Netherlands.

The method of budget monitoring seems to fit active neighborhood organizations best

and also the communities that want to get grip on the utilization of available resources in

their neighborhoods. The method stimulates conversation about on how public money is

brought together and spent. It is a good catalyst to start dialogues between citizens and

between social movements and government on priorities, needs and tackling problems. It

helps to believe in their own abilities and strength. It can lead to enhanced citizenship.

On January 1 2012 the experiment Budget Monitoring began in the Dutch neighborhood

in Amsterdam (Indische Buurt). Communities and other groups active in the

neighborhood made a calendar and a neighborhood plan with support from the Center for

Budget Monitoring and Citizen, Dutch partner of INESC. They examined what the district

budgets in the past two years have done for making a safer environment. And what the

effects were in the neighborhood. Additionally, the groups will check the 2012 budget.

The communities can calculate a budget for 2013 and add this to their neighborhood plan

and agenda for next year.

For more information and contact: www.budgetmonitoring.nl, Mellouki Cadat,

m.cadat@movisie.nl.