GIFT brings together a core network of key actors from around the world that are willing to open budgets, champion the agenda and pilot innovative practices through the use and promotion of user-centered digital tools and dialogue

The GIFT Network offers a system of exchange, collaboration, communication and support, not available to government representatives elsewhere. The fraternal atmosphere reflects the voluntary nature of participation in GIFT activities and the lack of contractual frictions that usually permeate the relationship between finance ministries and international financial organizations. Furthermore, the finance representatives within the Network are generally experts in the areas of budget, technical and specialized areas, different to the institutional areas of representation that typically work with international organizations.

On many occasions, governments themselves, in dialogue with civil society representatives, bring innovative proposals to the GIFT agenda spontaneously. Network members define the course of reform iteratively, through trial and error. They have taken ownership of the path of change, and they experiment and learn from each other through activities such as coalitions for public investment verification, dataquests for sustainable development goals, cross-cutting objectives for development and well-being budgets, etc.

These Ministry of Finance representatives, in alliance with civil society organizations (CSOs), have formed a coalition of the willing, and are true champions of change. The GIFT framework enables this coalition, by providing a network of peers and a discussion forum that provides them with constant support and backing for their innovative efforts.