Shaping Policy with Purpose: The Role of Civil Society and Budget Advocacy
What is Budget Advocacy? Budget advocacy is the process of examining public budgets—how funds are planned, allocated, and spent—and influencing these decisions to direct resources toward vital, yet often underfunded, areas. For example, if maternal health programs or research initiatives are consistently underfunded, advocates can bring evidence to the table, demonstrating the value and need for increased investment. By engaging through public campaigns, research, and direct dialogue with decision-makers, budget advocates highlight essential funding needs that align with both policy goals and community priorities.
“Every day is a budget day, everything is a budget thing, everyone is a budget person.” These are words that were echoed repeatedly by the trainers at the CHReaD budget advocacy training that took place from the 30th September to 3rd October 2024 in Machakos County, Kenya.
The Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD) is a partnership of civil society organizations, research institutions, academia, and the private sector working together to promote research, innovation, and access to exciting new technologies in Kenya. WACI Health, as a founding member of CHreaD, has been an active member of the partnership since 2015.
The budget advocacy training aimed to build capacity around public financial management (PFM), with a special focus on budget advocacy for health research and development (R&D). The two-day training provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the Kenyan budget process at both national and county levels, while gaining the tools and skills necessary to influence budget decisions in favor of health R&D. The training was conducted by the Bajeti Hub.
Reflecting on the session, Gloria Mululu-Gathuru (Programs Officer) shared several key takeaways that highlight the importance of strategic budget advocacy in advancing health R&D goals. Here are her insights:
1. Budget Advocacy as a Strategic Tool
Budget advocacy is not just about numbers but about influencing decisions to ensure funding aligns with public needs. This involves not only understanding budget allocations but advocating for changes that support health, education, and social welfare priorities.
2. Understanding the Budget Cycle
Timing is an important factor in advocacy. Knowing the budget cycle stages—from formulation to implementation—allows advocates to engage effectively at each phase. For example, engaging early in the cycle is crucial for pushing health research and development financing, especially in Kenya’s public health sector where funding can be limited and competition high. By advocating during the initial stages, advocates can help ensure that critical issues, like research funding, gain visibility and prioritization within the budget. Additionally, timing advocacy efforts during the review and evaluation phases allows advocates to hold institutions accountable.
3. Promoting Accountability and Transparency
Budget advocacy drives accountability by pushing for transparency in how funds are allocated and spent. By analyzing budgets, advocates help hold decision-makers accountable to ensure resources reach their intended goals, supporting fair, community-oriented policies.
4. Empowering Communities Through Budget Advocacy
Budget advocacy can play a big role in amplifying marginalized voices. By representing community needs in budget discussions, advocates can ensure underserved populations have their priorities reflected in funding allocations, policy planning, and resource distribution.
5. Advocating for Long-term Investment
Sustained advocacy is needed for long-term investments in critical sectors like healthcare and education. These sectors often require continuous funding to drive meaningful, lasting change, which can only be achieved through steady, committed budget support.
6. Everyday Relevance of Budgeting
Lastly, as the phrase “Every day is a budget day, everything is a budget thing, everyone is a budget person” highlights, budgeting plays a pervasive role in advocacy. Integrating budget awareness and advocacy in everyday decision-making is essential for shaping effective policies and driving meaningful community impact.
Budget advocacy is essential for impactful policy work. It fosters transparency, empowers communities, and ensures that critical areas like health and education receive the resources they need. Understanding the budget cycle helps advocates engage strategically, securing funding for health research, development, and other vital programs. As we continue to advance these goals, budget advocacy remains a vital tool for achieving sustainable, equitable progress.