Many countries rely on revenues collected from extractive industries in the form of taxes, royalties and production shares. For some states these revenues can be the sole source of funding for social development and economic growth. Unfortunately, in some countries, the lack of accountability and transparency in revenue management can exacerbate poor governance, leading to corruption, conflict and increasing inequality. Some companies resort to under-the-table transfers to government actors to facilitate business opportunities. In the end, too many revenue transactions are covert, robbing local people of an essential national asset. This is compounded by the fact that many countries with abundant natural resources are sorely lacking in financial management skills, procedures and infrastructure (such as computers) that would normally support increased transparency and budget monitoring. Increasingly, companies, governments and civil society are seeing this as a lose-lose situation and efforts are underway at the international, national and local levels to improve processes and access to information regarding extractive revenues.
Campaigns such as the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative combined with more inclusive governing approaches, such as participatory budgeting, show promise for improving the impact that extractive revenues have on community welfare. Capacity building for government, civil society including media, and companies is essential to take advantage of what are ultimately finite extractive resources.
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Participatory Budgeting in Africa: A Training Companion with cases from eastern and Southern Africa - Volume I: Concepts and Principles
This report is split into two volumes providing users with information, tools, methodologies, case studies and tips on how participatory budgeting can be introduced and sustained. These resources have been collected from local governments where participatory budgeting is already being practised.
Participatory Budgeting in Africa: A Training Companion with Cases from Eastern and Southern Africa- Volume II: Facilitation Methods
This is the second of two volumes which provide users with information, tools, methodologies, case studies and tips on how participatory budgeting can be introduced and sustained. These resources have been collected from local governments where participatory budgeting is already being practised.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: Sourcebook
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) source book is an illustrative guide to assist countries wishing to implement the initiative, and companies and other stakeholders wishing to support implementationues from extractive industries (oil, gas and mining) contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction, as part of a broader goal to improve the social stability and investment climate of resource-rich nations.
Follow the Money: A Guide to Monitoring Budgets and Oil and Gas Revenues
Follow the Money begins with an overview of civil society budget work-what it is, why it is important, its main elements and strategies. The report then shifts to an overview of the economics and politics of extractive industries-what is happening around the world, the main battles around mineral and petroleum extraction, and how organizations are responding. The report then focuses on four key factors for success in budget and extractive industry revenue work: (1) Analysis; (2) Organizing and Coalition Building; (3) Media and Public Education; and, (4) Dealing with Public Officials.
Social Accountability in the Public Sector: A Conceptual Discussion and Learning Module
This paper and learning module attempt to clarify one aspect of the growing literature on civic engagement: society’s role in improving government accountability—a process increasingly being termed as “social accountability.” The paper presents accountability as “a proactive process by which public officials inform about and justify their plans of action, their behavior and results and are sanctioned accordingly.” It then explores the various ways in which civil society can participate in strengthening accountability in the public sector.Related Items
Transparency International
Transparency International, the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. TI has the skills, tools, experience, expertise and broad participation to fight corruption on the ground, as well as through global and regional initiatives.Global Witness
Global Witness exposes the corrupt exploitation of natural resources and international trade systems, to drive campaigns that end impunity, resource-linked conflict, and human rights and environmental abuses. The website's media library allows users to access reports, press releases, briefing documents, videos and audio clips.Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) aims to strengthen governance by improving transparency and accountability in the extractives sector. The EITI sets a global standard for companies to publish what they pay and for governments to disclose what they receive.EITI – Extracting transparency
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is determined to stamp out embezzlement, but has its work cut out.
Governments And Companies Must Deliver on Global Transparency Initiative: Free-Riding No Longer an Option
Governments and companies signed up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) must now deliver concrete results towards making revenues and payments from oil, gas and mining transparent and accountable, said the global civil society coalition Publish What You Pay (PWYP). Seven resource-rich countries were approved as EITI candidates by the EITI Board in Accra, Ghana on Friday 22 February, bringing the total number of EITI candidate countries to 22.
Participatory Budgeting in Africa: A Training Companion with cases from eastern and Southern Africa - Volume I: Concepts and Principles
This report is split into two volumes providing users with information, tools, methodologies, case studies and tips on how participatory budgeting can be introduced and sustained. These resources have been collected from local governments where participatory budgeting is already being practised.
Participatory Budgeting in Africa: A Training Companion with Cases from Eastern and Southern Africa- Volume II: Facilitation Methods
This is the second of two volumes which provide users with information, tools, methodologies, case studies and tips on how participatory budgeting can be introduced and sustained. These resources have been collected from local governments where participatory budgeting is already being practised.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI): Validation guide
EITI Validation Guide.
2008 Report on Revenue Transparency of Oil and Gas Companies
The 2008 Report on Revenue Transparency of Oil and Gas Companies evaluates 42 leading international and national oil and gas companies operating in 21 countries, based on the transparency of their reporting, particularly on payments made to governments for resource extraction rights.
Local revenue management & social accountability around extractive industry projects in Latin America
The aim of these programs is to help local communities take advantage of the extractive industry related resources they receive. The programs have been structured in a manner that allows for IFC to collaborate with several oil, gas and mining investment companies, both IFC and non-IFC clients, eager to support local revenue management improvements in their area of influence.
Guide on Resource Revenue Transparency
The use of non-renewable resource revenues for sustainable local development: Challenges and opportunities for developing countries (Expert Group Meeting Report)
Sub-National Implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
This report was prepared to provide insight into the possible expansion of the Extractive Industries transparency Initiative (EITI) to the sub-national level, for consideration by the EITI International Advisory Group. The matters and options discussed may have application to other organisations involved in transparency, accountability, and good public sector and corporate governance.Local revenue management & social accountability around extractive industry projects in Latin America
In response to a specific request of an IFC client in the mining sector, the Enhancing Local Benefits program from the LAC Office for Advisory Services (PEP) initiated an advisory service project on revenue management and social accountability at the sub-national level in 2006.
