The Vaka Pasifika project is entering its final phase, dedicated to enhancing civil society engagement in Fiji’s budget process through collaborative efforts among various stakeholders. Funded by the European Union and executed in partnership with the UNDP Pacific Office and the Pacific Island Association for NGOs (PIANGO), the initiative empowers local organizations such as the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) to actively participate in budget oversight.
This multifaceted collaboration involves various bodies, including Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, and Central Planning, to bolster accountability in governance. Launched in 2019, the project has entered its second phase with a focus on finalizing and expanding the roles of civil society within the budget process.
Emeline Siale Ilolahia, Executive Director of PIANGO, highlighted the importance of united dialogue among diverse stakeholders to create a shared understanding of Fiji’s budget priorities. She stressed the need for collective participation rather than isolated efforts from individual institutions. The project aims to clarify the current and evolving roles in budget oversight while fostering experience sharing and joint planning.
The ongoing two-day policy dialogue, scheduled for February 16-17, is designed to enhance mutual understanding, share successes, and plan for future engagement with Fiji’s budget and policy connections. It features a flexible agenda that encourages participant-led discussions and knowledge sharing, allowing for adjustments based on input from attendees.
One of the significant insights gained from the project is the necessity of aligning budget allocations with policy commitments. There is a recognized gap between policy declarations and actual budget resources, leading civil society to often voice policy priorities without corresponding financial backing. Siale emphasizes that tracking how the national plan translates into budget commitments is vital for ensuring that policies result in concrete actions and improvements.
By sharing success stories and learning from experiences since the project’s initiation, the initiative intends to encourage participants to adapt strategies for better resource alignment. The overarching vision is to cultivate a future where civil society and government collaborate effectively, transparently, and proactively in budget discussions.
The Vaka Pasifika project, spanning from 2022 to 2026, builds upon the previous “Strengthening Public Finance Management and Governance in the Pacific” project, which ran from 2018 to 2022, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to enhancing public financial management and governance within the region. This endeavor marks a significant step toward greater accountability and inclusivity in Fiji’s budgetary processes, promising beneficial outcomes for the community.