A significant step toward strengthening public finance management (PFM) in Nepal was taken with the formation of a "CSOs' Working Group for Public Finance Management" with the conclusion of a three-day training on "Collaborating for Open and Accountable Budgeting." Organized by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) in collaboration with Freedom Forum, the event concluded on July 9, 2025, in Kathmandu. Supported by the European Commission, the training brought together representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) and media to address challenges in budget implementation and promote transparency and accountability.
A total of 21 members from 13 organizations including freelancers are the part of the working group. The details of CSOs on PFM Working group are as follows:
| S.N | Organization | Participant's Name |
| 1 | Accountability Lab | Suvechchha Chapagain |
| 2 | CAURAST Nepal | Christina Nakarmi |
| 3 | Community Members Interested (COMMITTED) | Anirudra Neupane |
| 4 | Freedom Forum | Aruna Adhikari |
| Nanu Maiya Khadka | ||
| Subash Dahal | ||
| 5 | Freelance - Budget and PFM | Manju Bhusal |
| Samrit Rayamajhi | ||
| Narayan Ghimire | ||
| Sanjeeb Ghimire | ||
| 6 | GOGO Foundation | Kersingh Tamang |
| 7 | NACASUD | Naresh Kumar Shrestha |
| 8 | NEFEJ | Sabin Sharma |
| 9 | Sahakarmi Samaj | Ammar Bahadur Air |
| Hari Upadhyaya | ||
| 10 | Samuhik Abhiyan | Deepak Shrestha |
| 11 | The Asia Foundation | Pratignya Neupane Mishra |
| 12 | Transparency International Nepal | Babita Sharma |
| Binod Bhattarai | ||
| 13 | Vijaya Development Resource Centre (VDRC-Nepal) | Trilochan Sapkota |
| 14 | Village Development and Save the Environment Forum (UDSEF) Nepal | Kalpana Rawal |
The newly formed CSOs' Working Group aims to foster sustained collaboration among CSOs to ensure effective oversight of public budgets.
Working Group’s Commitments on Transparency, Accountability and Citizen Engagement for next 6 MonthsFollowing the completion of the training, participants have committed to stay engaged post-workshop through collective action by forming a ‘CSOs' Working group for Public Finance Management (PFM)’. The Group has outlined several key outcomes and commitments to enhance public finance management (PFM) in Nepal which are in line with its short term course of action.
- Promote active collaboration with the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Nepal in the field of performance audit as part of Citizen Participation in Audits and promoting audit accountability with follows up and monitoring of audit recommendations.
- Advocate with and bring into the attention of the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO) for the need of open and easy access to budget data through their different technology platforms including SUTRA.
- Lobby with Ministry of Finance to incorporate the National Strategy and Action Plan for Citizen Engagement of in Public Financial Management in Nepal in National PFM Strategy.
- Bring into the attention of and lobby with Ministry of Finance the need to have consultation with CSOs including working group before the approval of National Strategy from the Cabinet.
- Advocate and lobby for CSOs' access to Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meetings and deliberations.
- Advocate and lobby for the need of CSOs and parliamentarians' joint work to promote effective audit accountability.
- Bring into the attention and lobby for the establishment of 'Parliamentary Budget Office' for strengthening Parliamentarians' capacity on their budgetary role.
- Working group will actively engage in monitoring public service delivery and remain vigilant of budget implementation at subnational level.
- Working Group will set new agendas at the end of year 2025
The formation of the CSOs' Working Group marks a pivotal moment for Nepal’s public finance landscape. By fostering collaboration among CSOs, media and oversight institutions, the group aims to bridge gaps in citizen engagement and promote result-oriented, transparent governance. The commitments made during the training reflect a shared vision of empowering citizens to hold public agencies accountable, ensuring that public funds contribute effectively to Nepal’s development. The working group pledged to actively monitor public service delivery and budget implementation at the subnational level. This commitment ensures oversight at provincial and local levels, fostering accountability and effective use of public funds.
