Strengthening Fiscal Ecosystems for Accountability and Equity
Making the greatest strides toward improving public finance depends on nurturing a diverse, interconnected ecosystem that includes a range of organizations and institutions that too often receive too little attention from reformers. In addition to the executive and legislative functions, supreme audit institutions are critically important, along with non-state actors such as civil society, the private sector, political parties, and the media. They all need to be part of both planning and executing budget-related reform initiatives. Embracing the entire ecosystem helps ensure fiscal decisions are made in the public interest and that the needs of those who are marginalized are addressed.
That was the upshot of a Financial Management Umbrella Program (FMUP) Knowledge Platform session co-hosted by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and held on October 1, 2025 on the margins of FMUP's Reimagining Public Finance conference. The session was centered on a report back from an International Dialogue on Strengthening Fiscal Ecosystems for Accountability and Equity, held in Switzerland September 22-25, 2025. The session included a presentation of the results of country studies from Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa by Warren Krafchik, head of the Fiscal Ecosystems Initiative at the Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Collaborative and was followed by a panel discussion with comments from participants who attended the Dialogue. The research and Dialogue were funded by the Ford Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and SECO.
Krafchik's presentation highlighted how countries with similar systems on paper can have very different outcomes. The difference often comes down to local politics, power dynamics, and incentives. Reform windows may open during crises, but success depends on strong coalitions and the capacity to act quickly.
Mapping the ecosystem, knowing who’s involved and how they connect helps avoid duplication and makes every dollar count. Since fiscal decisions are not driven by a single actor or institution—and instead are shaped by the interplay and balance of power among an expanding network of actors–it is essential to understand and leverage the ecosystem throughout the budgeting process.
"If accountability and equity are key…how do we form, ignite, or facilitate broad-based, powerful coalitions that help ensure public funds, public finances skew toward excluded communities?" Krafchik asked. "Or at least how do we increase the chances that these decisions are made in favor of communities that rely on public funds the most?”
Since fiscal decisions are not driven by a single actor or institution—and instead are shaped by the interplay and balance of power among an expanding network of actors–it is essential to understand and leverage the ecosystem throughout the budgeting process, he said.
Igniting Collaboration
“We see our support for this initiative as a long-term investment in shifting how public finance reform is approached," said Philippe Brueger, Program Manager at SECO. "Anchoring reforms in broad coalitions—both inside and outside government—is essential for lasting impact and for linking financial management to the bigger questions of governance and inclusion.”
Donors were encouraged to think beyond funding technical solutions to investing in relationships, supporting coalition-building, and coordinating efforts, which is an aim of the FMUP Knowledge Platform.
"The partnership we’re building around public financial management is not just about financial resources, it’s about intellectual collaboration," said Serdar Yilmaz, the World Bank's Practice Manager for Public Finance and Procurement. "By bringing together diverse perspectives, we can make fiscal ecosystems more inclusive, accountable, and equitable.”
The FMUP Knowledge Platform is designed to support this kind of collaboration. More than a repository of reports and resources, it’s a space where practitioners, policymakers, donors, and researchers can exchange ideas, debate tough questions, and share what’s working (and what isn’t). By connecting diverse perspectives, the platform aims to spark innovation and accelerate real-world change.
Listen to the FMUP Knowledge Platform Session
Watch the video above to learn more. In it, you’ll hear from:
- Philippe Bruegger, Program Manager, Macroeconomic Support Section, SECO
- Vishal Gujadhur, Deputy Director, Development Policy and Finance Team, Global Policy and Advocacy Division, Gates Foundation
- Serdar Yilmaz, Practice Manager, Public Finance and Procurement, World Bank
- Chiara Bronchi, Practice Manger, Public Institutions Data and Analytics Unit, World Bank
- Matt Davies, Head, Global Public Finance Partnership, International Monetary Fund
- Ana Patricia Muňoz, Executive Director, International Budget Partnership
- Paolo de Renzio, Senior Adjunct Professor, Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration
- Warren Krafchik, Project Leader, Fiscal Ecosystems Initiative, Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Collaborative
- Sokbunthoeun So, Program Manager, Financial Management Umbrella Program, World Bank