Since its inception, the GIFT network has maintained strong cooperative relationships with subnational governments that have shared their experiences in fiscal transparency practices, particularly, in public participation, and that themselves have benefited from the network’s peer learning processes. Examples include the governments of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Elgeyo Marawek (Kenya), Cascais (Portugal), Wuppertal (Germany), Mexico City (Mexico), Guanajuato (Mexico), and Bogota (Colombia), among others.
In 2020, the Governments of the State of Guanajuato (Secretariat of Finance) in Mexico and the City of Bogota (Secretariat of Finance and General Secretariat of the District) in Colombia, expressed their interest in becoming members of the network. This issue was brought to the Lead Stewards Meeting in February 2021 by GIFT’s Network Director, with a discussion document presenting an analysis of the matter, including its background; the typical characteristics of existing stewards; as well as the potential advantages and disadvantages of admitting subnational governments (here). The lead stewards considered the practicality of admitting subnational governments as members of the network and asked GIFT’s Network Director to draft practical and simple guidelines for admitting subnational governments as stewards for a trial pilot period, to be evaluated prior to a permanent resolution being taken on the matter (the minutes of the meeting are here).
This document presents these guidelines as well as general considerations regarding criteria to be used to assess the success of the pilot.