A package of proposals prepared to increase the participation of NGOs in parliamentary budget discussions

Bakı/14.07.17/Turan: The Platform of the Initiative of the Open Government of Civil Society of Azerbaijan has proposed a package of measures for participation of civil society institutions in discussions of state budgets in the country's parliament.Suggestions include:
- Openness of meetings of committees for NGOs,

- Development and submission to the Parliament of packages of budget proposals on the part of the Platform with the involvement of independent experts and specialized NGOs,

- Organization of the Platform for quarterly meetings of heads of committees and representatives of civil society,

- the establishment of an expert council of Civil Society institutions in the parliament with the participation of the Platform,

- Initiate cooperation between parliamentary committees and 7 groups formed under the Council for State Support of NGOs,

- Establish a special body under the parliament to regularly engage NGOs in order to discuss in the parliament on the basis of a memorandum between the Council for State Support of NGOs and parliamentary commissions.

The package of proposals was put forward on the results of the round table "Results of the assessment of the participation of civil society institutions in the discussions of the draft state budget in the MiliMajlis", which was organized as part of the Eurasian Cooperation Fund's "The Open Government Initiative Platform in Action"

A survey of 54 NGOs and 14 parliamentary committees showed that the vast majority of NGOs showed interest in participating in budgetary discussions in parliament, while four committees considered such participation excessive. Seven committees reported that NGOs participated in 5 meetings, and 22 proposals were accepted. In general, the survey showed that NGOs are more interested in participating in parliamentary hearings, while deputies are less interested in their participation. --0-