The Budget Information Service of the Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa (IDASA) analyzes government budgets from a human rights perspective to determine, through criteria of transparency, accountability, and governance, whether particular groups of people are being fairly and democratically represented in government programs.
IDASA was established in 1985, and worked in part to forge links between Afrikaner groups and the African National Congress. The group was later instrumental in overseeing free and fair elections, and currently its primary objective is to help build democracy and democratic institutions throughout the African continent. IDASA’s Budget Information Service was established in 1995 to ensure that citizens and the government communicate about public policy.
Staff members use constitutional court findings and the National Bill of Rights to determine the legal obligations of the government with regard to specific constituencies such as women, children, and disabled people. Such obligations commonly include the provision of social services, healthcare, education, shelter, water, and sanitation.
Statisticians then analyze federal budget tables to determine how these obligations are being addressed, and whether resources are reaching the intended beneficiaries. Using a context of human rights, particularly socio-economic rights, IDASA drafts recommendations on how budgets can be adjusted to benefit the particular group of people being addressed, and presents these to government departments, the National Treasury, and advocacy and lobbying groups.
The National Treasury has responded favorably, incorporating IDASA recommendations into its budgets, and treating the group as a critical ally and credible monitoring body. The Budget Information Service publishes numerous newspaper articles each year, and its Budget Briefs, presenting written responses to current issues, are sent to more than 1,000 citizens and members of the government and media.
After successfully implementing the program in South Africa, IDASA has exported it to other countries within the region and throughout Africa.
