Supporting Budget Oversight in Nepal’s New Parliament

Inter Pares partnered with the Federal Parliament of Nepal to convene two complementary workshops in Kathmandu focused on strengthening parliamentary budget oversight and institutional capacity at a pivotal moment for the country’s newly elected Parliament.

On 15 May, parliamentary staff participated in a workshop on The Role and Functioning of Parliamentary Budget Offices (PBOs), which explored how strong institutional structures and independent analytical capacity can support more effective parliamentary scrutiny of public spending. Through peer exchange with colleagues from the Irish Houses of the Oireachtas and the Cyprus House of Representatives, participants reflected on how Parliamentary Budget Offices can progressively expand their mandate, expertise, autonomy, and institutional credibility to better support evidence-based oversight.

One participant reflected: “The perspectives shared by the international colleagues helped me compare and reflect on them more deeply — and I believe are worth emulating. Now, I have been thinking about how Parliament can, to some extent, place checks and balances on the unlimited powers of the Ministry of Finance or the Finance Minister.”

Building on these discussions, from 16–17 May newly elected Members of Parliament participated in a two-day workshop on Parliament’s Budgetary Powers: from Pre-Budget Consultations to Budget Scrutiny and Oversight. Following Nepal’s March 2026 elections, which brought significant renewal to the House of Representatives, the workshop came at a timely moment as Members prepare to engage in upcoming budget deliberations and pre-budget consultations.

The workshop brought together parliamentary peers from the Irish Houses of the Oireachtas, the French National Assembly, and the Cyprus House of Representatives, alongside government officials and national and international experts, to exchange experiences and good practices related to parliamentary budget functions. Discussions covered topics ranging from pre-budget consultations and budget scrutiny to the role of Parliamentary Budget Offices and collaboration with Supreme Audit Institutions.

A key focus of the workshop was strengthening inclusive and participatory approaches to budget consultations, helping ensure that budget appropriations are aligned with national priorities and responsive to the needs of citizens — particularly underrepresented groups.

As one participant noted: “As a result of this activity, the Parliament plans to introduce several improvements to strengthen transparency, public participation, and effectiveness in the budget consultation process.”

Together, these workshops underscore Inter Pares’ continued commitment to supporting partner parliaments in strengthening institutional capacity, democratic accountability, and effective parliamentary oversight.