The International Budget Partnership’s Open Budget Survey 2025 analysis reveals mixed progress regarding fiscal accountability across the Western Balkans and Turkey. While several nations have advanced in publishing their required budgetary documentation, significant weaknesses persist in the mechanisms of control and public participation. This lack of robust oversight grants governments substantial leeway to alter the utilization of allocated funds throughout the fiscal year.
The regional assessment, which covers Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey, grades countries on three key metrics: transparency, public participation, and the oversight exercised by institutional bodies. According to the survey findings, overall budgetary transparency and institutional oversight levels are rated as moderate for 2025. A notable area of concern across all assessed nations is the level of public involvement.
Public participation scores were recorded as very low across the entire group, suggesting limited avenues for citizen input into fiscal planning. The study emphasizes that despite improvements in the initial release of the annual budget, the effectiveness of these financial plans is hampered by underdeveloped accountability frameworks. These shortcomings mean that while the initial budgetary documents are available, the mechanisms ensuring that funds are used as intended—and that citizens are involved in monitoring that use—do not yet fully function.
Addressing these gaps in governance and public engagement remains critical for strengthening fiscal integrity in the region.
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