CSO urges wider consultation in Draft Public Financial Management Reform Strategy

Freedom Forum submitted Letter to Secretary, Ministry of Finance on July 22, 2025.

Freedom Forum and coalition of 13 civil society organizations have called for spaces promoting broader citizen participation in the formulation of Nepal’s “Public Financial Management Reform Strategy 2025-30,” currently being drafted by the government.

In a letter submitted and addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the newly formed “Civil Society Working Group on Public Finance Management” emphasized the need for inclusive consultations to ensure effective governance and financial accountability before finalization and adaptation of National PFM Reform Strategy 2025-30.

The letter, signed by Tara Nath Dahal, Executive Chief of Freedom Forum, highlights the coalition’s commitment to advocating for governance reforms and efficient public finance management. The group has requested the Ministry to provide opportunities for civil society to offer feedback on the draft strategy, details of which were included with the letter.

Additionally, the coalition drew attention to the “National Strategy and Action Plan for Citizen Engagement in Public Finance Management in Nepal,” prepared by the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Secretariat. Published and currently available on the PEFA website, the working group strongly request to include the strategy and action plan in the National PFM Reform Strategy.

The PEFA document on Citizen engagement in  PFM  outlines measures to enhance citizen participation in public finance management across Nepal’s three tiers of government in the context of federalism. The coalition noted that despite its positive provisions, the strategy is waiting for approval.

The coalition’s appeal underscores the importance of transparency and inclusion in strengthening Nepal’s public financial systems.