As part of the project Regional Scoping of Subnational Budget Transparency and Participation in the Western Balkans (SUBTAP-WB), the Institute of Public Finance, in cooperation with the International Budget Partnership (IBP), hosted a two-day regional workshop in Zagreb on 2-3 November, 2026. The event was dedicated to sharing experiences and exploring best practices in budget transparency, local government accountability and citizen participation in budget processes.

Alongside researchers from the Institute, the workshop brought together civil society representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina (GEA – Center for Research and Studies, proMENTE Social Research and CPI Foundation), Montenegro (Institute Alternative) and Serbia (Center for Higher Economic Studies – CEVES and Transparency Serbia), collaborating under the Building Alliances for Budget Accountability (BABA) initiative.

The workshop programme included three thematic presentations on budget transparency, citizen participation and budget oversight across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. Presenters outlined both the institutional and legislative frameworks, in combination with existing tools used to monitor and measure the openness of budget processes. In addition, participants became familiar with the experiences of Croatia and Slovenia in implementing the Open Local Budget Index (OLBI). 

Particular emphasis was placed on interactive sessions and group discussions. Participants shared experiences and best practices, reviewed preliminary research findings and discussed engagement with local authorities. Together, they formulated recommendations for civil society organizations and the IBP, aimed at enhancing budget transparency, reinforcing local government accountability, and encouraging active citizen participation in budget decision-making.