Question 64

What information is provided in the Citizens Budget? (The core information must include expenditure and revenue totals, the main policy initiatives in the budget, the macroeconomic forecast upon which the budget is based, and contact information for follow-up by citizens.)
 * a. The Citizens Budget provides information beyond the core elements.
 * b. The Citizens Budget provides the core information.
 * c. The Citizens Budget provides information, but it excludes some core elements.
 * d. The Citizens Budget is not published.
 * e. Not applicable/other (please comment).

OBS Guidelines
Question 64 focuses on the content of the Citizens Budget, asking whether “core” information is presented. These core components include:
 * expenditure and revenue totals;
 * the main policy initiatives in the budget;
 * the macroeconomic forecast upon which the budget is based; and
 * contact information for follow-up by citizens.

To answer “a,” the Citizens Budget or supporting documentation must present all of the above core information as well as some additional information beyond the core elements. To answer “b,” the Citizens Budget must present all of the core components noted above. Answer “b” is also accepted if one of the core elements is not presented but additional information beyond the core elements is presented. A “c” answer applies if the Citizens Budget includes some of the core components above, but other core pieces of information are not included. Answer “d” applies if a Citizens Budget is not published.

1) How to score Q34 when a country does not have Extra-Budgetary Funds
In cases where a country scores e on Q33 because it is clear that there are no EBFs, then Q34 should also be scored as c or not applicable. In OBS 2017, this was the case in four countries: Bosnia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Peru.