Branko Stanić, researcher at the Institute of Public Finance, participated in a panel discussion as part of the first seminar within the educational program NextGen Transparency 2.0 organized by the Academy for Political Development (APD) in Zagreb from 20 to 22 February 2026, with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Croatia.

Stanić took part in a  panel discussion “Why Transparency Matters: Trust, Governance and Economic Resilience”, alongside Kristian Turkalj (Catholic University of Croatia) and Vedrana Pribičević (Zagreb School of Economics and Management), with the panel moderated by Ameet Kabrawala from the U.S. Embassy.

The discussion emphasized the importance of transparency as an operational governance tool, rather than merely a formal obligation to disclose information. Dr. Stanić presented research findings on local budget transparency and fiscal behavior of local government units, highlighting that higher levels of transparency are associated with more stable debt management, smaller deviations between planned and executed budgets, and stronger fiscal discipline – particularly when data are accessible, comparable, and subject to public scrutiny.

The panel also addressed the relationship between transparency and the efficiency of public services, fiscal decentralization, and the role of legal and institutional frameworks in strengthening public trust and economic resilience. It was emphasized that the impact of transparency depends on a combination of clear rules, administrative capacity, and active public engagement, while comparison and reputational pressure among local government units can serve as additional incentives for improving practices.

Speaking about the broader institutional context, Stanić emphasized that progress in the field of transparency has been slow and uneven, but that the institutional baseline today is significantly higher than it was a decade ago. “Transparency is increasingly perceived as part of professional governance standards, rather than merely a political issue. When openness becomes embedded in everyday practice rather than treated as an exception, the system becomes more resilient”, he noted, adding that this gradual normalization of transparency provides reason for cautious optimism.

The seminar brought together young professionals from the public, private, and civil society sectors. Participation in the seminar forms part of the Institute of Public Finance’s ongoing activities aimed at disseminating research findings and contributing to public debate on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the quality of governance in Croatia and the wider region.