The Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflicts (ISNC), in cooperation with the network of IDP non-governmental organizations “Synergy”, implemented a project aimed at monitoring the process of local self-government budget planning and execution, as well as informing internally displaced persons (IDPs) about the programs envisaged in local municipal budgets.

The main goal of the “Synergy” network’s activities was to increase IDPs’ access to all priorities and programs included in local self-government budgets and to promote equal approaches toward both displaced and local populations. The initiative also sought to improve the planning of social and healthcare programs and to advocate for an increase in their share within the overall municipal budgets. Another key objective was to enhance IDPs’ awareness and participation in the processes of drafting, approving, and implementing local budgets through the use of legally defined mechanisms and rights.

To achieve these objectives, the project’s first stage included a series of informational meetings. Training sessions were held for network members and IDP activists, led by David Tchuradze, Financial and Budgetary Consultant to the network and Head of the Financial-Budgetary Committee Office of the Parliament of Georgia. During these trainings, participants were introduced to the procedures of local budget planning and execution, with a particular focus on budget monitoring methods that would enable the network representatives to observe and assess budgetary processes. Several advocacy topics emerged during the discussions, which required action at the local self-government level. These included issues related to budgetary procedures, the socio-economic integration and legal empowerment of IDPs, their cooperation with local authorities, participation in civic programs, and, consequently, their civic activation.

Within the framework of the project, several priority municipalities were selected — Zugdidi City, Zugdidi Municipality, Poti City, Kutaisi City, and Gori City — whose 2015 draft budgets were studied by network representatives. The main focus was placed on the programs and subprograms planned by the municipalities for IDPs residing in their territories. The project envisaged analyzing revenues and expenditures and, based on the findings, developing recommendations to improve the situation of IDPs. Additionally, it aimed to ensure that the principle of equal rights between displaced and local populations was reflected across all budgetary priorities and programs.

During the monitoring phase, it was revealed that all selected municipalities submitted their 2015 draft budgets to local councils (Sakrebulos) within the timeframes stipulated by law. However, public disclosure of these budgets was delayed by several days, and in most cases, the documents were obtained directly by local network members. Furthermore, no public information was available regarding the schedules or regulations of the budget review process within the council committees.

The monitoring and analysis of the budgets revealed that the main priorities of the selected municipalities for the year 2015 included:

• Development of local infrastructure;
• Improvement of social welfare and healthcare services;
• Promotion of public safety;
• Advancement of education, culture, and sports.