In a significant move towards greater transparency and accountability, all 245 public institutions within Prague have taken steps to release their budgets, with an impressive one-fifth of these entities even disclosing individual invoices. This initiative, aimed at making public finances more transparent, aligns with one of the key objectives of Prague’s anti-corruption strategy.

The Prague City Hall proudly announced that clickable budgets are now available through the Cityvizor application, with the budgets being conveniently categorized and searchable by name. These public institutions are responsible for providing essential services to the residents of Prague, spanning areas such as education, environmental protection, healthcare, culture, social services, leisure, and urban planning. This year, the combined budgets of these institutions amount to nearly CZK 18.2 billion.

Adam Zábranský, the Prague Councilor for Property, Transparency, and Legislation from the Pirate Party, emphasized the importance of public oversight over the management of public institutions. Zábranský stated, “Thanks to the Cityvizor application, it is easy to monitor what these resources are being used for. The clickable budget allows citizens, councilors, journalists, and others to control public institutions’ management from their desk.”

The journey towards enhanced financial transparency in Prague began in 2001 with the establishment of a register for published data on public procurement. Since then, the city has continuously expanded its efforts, including opening tenders for smaller contracts. These initiatives are part of the broader goals outlined in Prague’s Anti-Corruption Strategy for the years 2022-2027.

The Cityvizor application, which serves as a pivotal tool for this transparency drive, provides comprehensive insights into the budgets of public institutions, offering real-time updates on budget plan fulfillment. The data is sourced directly from the accounting systems of these entities. The application is operated by the ICT Operator company, overseeing its implementation in both Prague and its districts.

This initiative extends beyond just a general overview of financial figures; it provides users with detailed views of individual budget items through clear graphs. Furthermore, around one-fifth of the organizations also share specific invoices, categorized by month.

The commendable efforts by the Prague city council to promote transparency and combat corruption have been lauded by the public. By setting the standard for open financial management and demonstrating its commitment to accountable governance, Prague’s actions serve as an inspiring model for other cities aiming to strengthen transparency within their own systems.

Article by Prague Forum