Budget Monitoring by CSOs (MD0079)

Problem description Over the period 2014-2022, the dynamics of the relationship between civil society and public authorities fluctuated quite a lot. There have been periods when there has been an acceptable level of collaboration and cooperation, but there have also been periods of sometimes aggressive rhetoric from political actors towards civil society organisations. As a result, civil society representatives drew attention to the danger of restricting the work of civil society organisations, such as blocking access to public information. At the same time, the expost evaluation report of the Civil Society Development Strategy 2018-2020 found that the progress achieved was reduced for the generation of a dynamic, durable and sustainable civil society. Insufficient involvement of CSOs remains a significant challenge, both at national and, especially, at local level. The data recorded in recent years are uneven, with no sustainable increase in CSO involvement in public policy development, implementation and monitoring being observed. If, in 2019, there were 1319 contributions registered from the associative sector (CSOs, citizens, employers’ associations and trade unions), then, in 2021, 28 the indicator dropped to 603. Currently, data on the level of civil society participation at local level is not systematically generated and analysed. But the overall level of transparency at local level is low. For example, according to data from the EU Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society in the Republic of Moldova for the period 2021-2027, in 2020, the level of transparency, at local level, was approximately 38%. Thus, the pace of implementation of actions contributing to the development of a dynamic and innovative civil society, both at national and local level, is to be accelerated.

Description of the commitment:

a) what the commitment entails For the implementation of the objectives of the commitment, the target group will be represented by 15 community CSOs in 5 development regions of the country: North, Centre, South, ATU Gagauzia which will benefit from capacity building trainings, and will receive grants to conduct budget monitoring and advocacy activities. Thus, an estimated 45 CSO members will be trained to obtain the necessary expertise and be able to engage constructively in budget processes: analysis of local and state budgets, monitoring of budget planning and execution, focusing mainly on budget monitoring in the context of the implementation of the Association Agreement, of the Agenda. The target group will be represented by the three CSO platforms: (i) The National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (ii) The EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform” and (iii) The EU-Moldova Internal Consultative Group for Trade and Sustainable Development, which will benefit from training and financial support. It is planned that approximately 75 CSOs who are active members of these platforms will benefit from training on management and organisational development, fundraising, 29 financial reporting, advocacy and other important aspects for the sustainable development of CSOs. The financial support offered in the form of a grant will be oriented towards the creation of a joint secretariat of these three platforms.

b) what are the expected results Improving capacities, ensuring resilience and increasing the participation of CSOs in the process of monitoring budgets and performing the function of advocacy, at the central and local level, with a priority focus on budget analysis in the context of the implementation of the AA and the accession process of the Republic of Moldova to the EU . Strengthening the capacities and increasing the degree of involvement of the members of the 3 platforms of the civil society, in order to act in a reinforced manner and support the implementation of the AA and the conditions related to the accession process of the Republic of Moldova to the EU. Monitoring the process for the planning of local budgets and the State Budget, including the financial resources received from development partners, with a special focus on local and regional infrastructure projects, social services, public services; Monitoring of expenditures from the State Budget for projects in: the justice sector and anti-corruption reform; employment policies; social services; energy efficiency and renewable energy; public services; and human rights, including gender equality. Participation in visibility and advocacy activities, at the local level;

c) major objective Increasing and strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations to support the 30 implementation of the conditions related to the accession process of the Republic of Moldova to the EU and the agenda of the Association Agreement, at the national and local levels.

Activities | Responsible PA/Development partners | Duration of action

5.7.1. Development of a training programme and, respectively, the training of CSOs benefiting from the project regarding budget monitoring, in order to increase their involvement in monitoring budget expenditures and in advocacy activities, at central and local levels; | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023-2025

5.7.2. Organising visibility and advocacy events on budget monitoring, at the local and central levels; | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023-2025

5.7.3. Creating a common secretariat for the three platforms of CSOs, which ensures that the members of the platforms act in a reinforced manner in terms of the implementation of the AA and Europeanization agenda; | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023-2025

5.7.4. Training the members of the 3 platforms of the CSO on the aspects related to the consolidation of governance and their competences in the context of the implementation of the AA and the Europeanization agenda; | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023-2025

5.7.5. Launching and conducting a visibility and information campaign among CSOs regarding the importance of civic engagement in promoting AA and the Europeanization agenda; | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023-2025

5.7.6. Conducting an advocacy campaign at national and European level, with the aim of informing the national and international public with regards to the progress in carrying out the reforms on the Europeanization agenda; | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023- 2024

5.7.7. Drafting of the independent monitoring reports of budget expenditures | Expert-Group Independent Analytical Centre Institute for European Policy and Reform (IPRE) AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) „Friedrich-Ebert Foundation | 2023- 2024