This topic guide was prepared for the International Workshop on Resources, Citizen Engagements and Democratic Local Governance (ReCitE), held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 5-9 December, 2004. Through ReCitE, LogoLink extends its inquiry into the “fiscal spaces” of citizen participation in local governance. As part of this undertaking, LogoLink completed a review of the literature on the theme which informed research on six case studies on citizen engagements in the resource-related processes of revenue raising, budget allocation and the monitoring of public expenditures. The participants to this workshop were also asked to bring short write-ups of their own initiatives in resource issues and processes. As a parallel effort to support other practitioners wanting to embark on work in this arena, this topic guide on the theme was also prepared.

The contents of the topic guide are as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Key Points for Resources, Citizen Engagements and Democratic Local Governance
A Comprehensive Budget Process
2.2 Different Degrees of Citizen Engagement
2.3 Links between Local and National Level
3. The Budget Cycle
3.1 Power in the Budgeting Process
3.2 The Role of Civil Society Organizations
3.3 Raising Resources
3.4 Budget Formulation and Allocation
3.5 Tracking, Monitoring and Evaluation
4. Citizen Engagement in Local Budget Processes
4.1 Resource Raising
4.2 Budget Analysis and Formulation
4.3 Budget Tracking, Monitoring and Evaluating
5. Lessons from Experiences Around the World and Future Challanges
5.1 Outcomes
5.2 Risks and Limitations
5.3 Differences among Phases
5.4 What Power Dynamics are at Play in the Process?
6. References
7. Other Resources
7.1 Local governance and decentralization
7.2 Guides about citizen participation in fiscal issues
7.3 Case Studies
7.4 Networks and Useful Websites