Members and partners of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) engaged in a productive talanoa session with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad, focusing on community concerns and the national budget. The event, held under the theme “Participation to power: Budgeting for women’s leadership and governance transformation,” provided a platform for civil society representatives to discuss budget implementation challenges affecting women and various communities throughout the country.
FCOSS Executive Director Vani Catanasiga expressed satisfaction with the Finance Minister’s willingness to engage directly with participants, highlighting the importance of translating budget allocations into tangible impacts at the grassroots level. Catanasiga noted this dialogue as an essential part of the budgeting process, underlining the need for government funding to address critical community initiatives effectively.
This session aligns with FCOSS’s ongoing advocacy for more robust government funding, aimed at enhancing community projects and initiatives. Catanasiga echoes sentiments from previous discussions in which community organizations have called for prioritization of pressing social issues in budget planning, rather than focusing on political agendas. This perspective resonates with a broader call for collaboration between communities and government, fostering a governance model that is more inclusive and responsive to the needs of citizens.
As Fiji heads towards its 2025-2026 national budget announcement, there is a hopeful outlook that this consultative approach will lead to a budget that effectively addresses the needs of ordinary citizens, fostering sustainable development and improved social conditions. Overall, the continued engagement between government officials and grassroots organizations holds the promise of constructing a more equitable and responsive governance framework that benefits all Fijians.
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