PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING IN DONDO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, MOZAMBIQUE

This Article was prepared by Mr. Manuel Cambezo, Mayor of Dondo Municipality

Background

The Municipality of Dondo is located in the Province of Sofala in Mozambique. It occupies an area of 382 km² and has a population of about 71.644 inhabitants

The Participatory Budgeting process in Dondo started in 1999, during the first municipal term. The motivation for this approach was the request by the citizens to see their interests realized.

Dondo municipal council decided to involve citizens in the budgetary because it realized the following benefits:

• It improves efficiency and efficacy in the use of public resources
   

• It promotes sustainable allocation of resources;
   

• It promotes socio-economic growth of the communities themselves;
   

• Citizens should always be part of the decision-making process because they play active role in municipal development and are responsible for the success of development projects.

Modalities of Participation in Dondo

• Provision of services by the private sector i.e. Education, health, water supply, etc.

• Monetary or in-kind contribution for construction, maintenance and operations of public infrastructures by the communities, NGOs and the private sector

• Payment of the municipal property taxes

• Contribution for the expenses for operations and maintenance of public services

In order to provide sound and rational solutions for the needs of the citizens the following institutional and community measures were taken:

• At institutional level: Establishment of an advisory and studies office (GEA), Community Affairs as an instrument for permanent liaison with the communities;
   

• At the neighborhoods level: Neighborhoods Development Nucleus (NDB), Association of Community Services – local non-governmental organization (ASSERCO).

The main actors in the process of Participatory Budgeting include

• The civil society

• Non-governmental Organizations

• The private sector

Organization of the participatory budgeting process in Dondo – 2007

Participatory budgeting in Dondo takes the following phases:

• Organizational activities of the population on territorial or thematic basis
   

• Assessment of he activities undertaken by the municipality
   

• Municipal diagnostic
   

• Preparation of PESOM and PIM
   

• Discussion of the proposals of PESOM and PIM at the Municipal Council.
   

• Final drafting of the proposals
   

• Submission of the proposals to the Municipal Assembly