Participatory Budgeting

Saudi Arabia is committed to transparency and public engagement in financial planning, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030. The participatory budgeting process empowers citizens, residents, and entrepreneurs to contribute ideas, suggest improvements, and influence spending priorities at both national and local levels. This initiative ensures government resources are allocated efficiently to meet community needs.

How Participatory Budgeting Works

Participatory budgeting gives community members a direct say in allocating portions of public funds across various sectors, such as health, education, culture, and municipal services. The key objectives of this process include:

• Enhancing transparency and accountability
• Improving the efficiency of public spending
• Empowering local communities to set priorities

Stages of the National Budget Process

The Kingdom’s budget is structured into several key phases:

• Preliminary Analysis (July – September): Stakeholders, including the public, provide input through consultation mechanisms.
• Final Approval (October – November): The proposed budget is finalized, integrating feedback gathered earlier in the process.
• Official Release (December): The approved budget is published, promoting transparency and accountability.

Mechanism for Participatory Budgeting

Citizens, residents, and businesses can participate through the national E-Participation Platform (Tafaul), which provides multiple channels for engagement:

•  Idea Collection (Project Proposal): Submitting suggestions for new or existing projects.
•  Proposal Development: Government agencies help refine ideas into concrete, prioritized proposals.
•  Voting on Projects: Citizens vote on the final list of projects through the E-Participation Platform (Tafaul).
•  Implementation and Follow-up: Monitoring winning projects execution and participating in evaluation efforts.
• Expanding Participatory Budgeting

The initiative follows a three-level approach:

• Level One: Conduct priority-setting surveys through the Tafaul Platform, ensuring regular public consultations.
• Level Two: Predefining priorities for future projects, with a portion of the budget allocated to participatory initiatives.
• Level Three: Evaluating and expanding the program based on participation results and project impact.

Through participatory budgeting, Saudi Arabia strengthens the relationship between the government and its citizens, ensuring a more inclusive, transparent, and effective allocation of public funds. For more information, access official portals detailing KSA Government Budget, Transparency in Government Spending, Budget Cycle, and KSA Annual budgets and performance reports for 2017-2023.