This specialist programme examines functional systems and accountability models drawing on experiences from many different perspectives and legislative settings worldwide. It demonstrates the vital need to design and deliver acceptable accountability mechanisms and explore oversight tools used by effective legislatures.

It analyses and takes into account differing constitutionally defined legislative powers, institutional arrangements between and among the branches of government, and gives a better understand of the divisions of authority between regional, national, sub–national, and local governments – critically assessing the degree of legitimacy conferred on various legislative entities, and the resources available to it, recognising that effective and steady national budget process is critical to all concerned.

The major objective of the programme is to equip attendees with renewed skills necessary for executing budget oversight in a holistic manner, from the formulation and approval of the budget, to implementation, performance review and post examination of public accounts. Additionally, it focuses on the attaining of accountability standards that promote and deliver favourable democratic dividends to different constituencies and interest groups.

Special attention is paid to skills for developing and understanding accountability mechanisms that can assist parliamentary committees and independent parliamentary budget personnel.

There is a direct set–up of collaborative partnership with the MPs at the House of Parliament in training venues (only for the UK and Republic of Kenya), which is a vital component of this workshop.