The number of youth participating in budget consultations, public expenditure tracking and monitoring public service provision has significantly increased as a result of the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT)’s interventions in Matabeleland South.
Before CYDT’s timely and necessary strides to ensure improved youth participation in budget processes, budgeting was limited to the domain of the highly rated financial expects and economists. These experts who usually trivialised youth potential, participated in crucial budget processes, something that directly affected youths as funds were not fairly allocated.
However, with the help of CYDT that has been pushing for youth budget advocacy, the situation has changed for the better.
After training and encouraging young people to participate in budget processes, their involvement and participation has greatly improved.
When speaking about increased youth participation in budget processes due to CYDT’s efforts, CYDT Board member, Leader Zaba said, “when it comes to budget consultation in as far as youth involvement and participation is concerned, there has been evidence of increased uptake among the youths. This is evidenced by the fact that youth are now consulted as a separate stakeholder which is a shift from previous years where youths were counted as part of residents consulted at ward level. However using advocacy as a tool, youths have since been given their own separate slot just as business section, churches, vendors and others. This was enabled by youths who pushed up until council noticed after doing ward consultations, there is also need to engage youths as a separate entity in budget consultations.”
Zaba went on to say that youths in three wards of Bulilima are now council liaison in as far as mobilization for consultations, meaning youths are now taking ownership of the process and making sure other youths engage and are involved in shaping up local policy.
Nokuthaba Ncube, a youth from Gwanda said they used to think only people with commerce degrees were qualified to participate in budget processes, however, thanks to CYDT efforts, they are now actively involved in all budget processes.
“I remember we used to think anything to do with budgeting required people who had financial literacy. That is why many young people did not attend budget consultations. We are really grateful for the work being done by CYDT that has managed to bring to light our role in budgetary processes,” Ncube said.
She added that they are pushing for more youth to be involved in budget processes by spreading the word in areas where young people usually meet.
While youth participation in budget processes has increased, youth criticised the handling of these processes. They alleged that the way information was disseminated affected their participation. They said budget consultation dates were announced on last minutes thus hindering active youth participation. Youths also bemoaned that key youth demands flagged out in budgeting meetings are not passed to the final budget which demoralizes many youths.
For enough funds to be availed to the education, health, youth and local government sectors, young people’s participation in budget processes must continue being valued and taken into consideration by local and national leaders. The welfare of youths can only be improved if they dominate policy and budgeting forums which will ensure funds that fully cater for their needs are allocated to them. In addition, their involvement is critical in aiding the proper use of allocated funds by closely monitoring the distribution of these funds by relevant authorities.
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