Open Access News

News from the open access movement


Sunday, December 17, 2006

How open is your country's budget?

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has published the Open Budget Initiative 2006.  (Thanks to the Scout Report.)  From the site: 

On October 18, 2006 civil society organizations from 59 countries around the world unveiled the Open Budget Index.  This is the first index to rate countries on how open their budget books are to their citizens.  It is intended to provide citizens, legislators, and civil society advocates with the comprehensive and practical information needed to gauge a government’s commitment to budget transparency and accountability.  Armed with this kind of information, lenders, development advocates, and aid organizations can identify meaningful budget reforms needed in specific countries to combat corruption and strengthen basic services to improve people's lives.