Subnational Public Finance Programme Briefs

About

Subnational governments around the world are increasingly responsible for public service functions that are essential to expanding coverage, equitable access and quality of services for children and young people.

Across education, health, social and child protection, and water and sanitation sectors, devolved regional and local governments are increasingly engaged in preparing and executing their own budgets, collecting revenues from local sources to fund spending, and borrowing to finance capital investments in new and upgraded facilities. Strengthening subnational public finance is key to the objectives of equity and improved child and adolescents’ outcomes. 

These briefs are evidence-driven notes that aim at unpacking common issues in government budgeting and financial management at the subnational level, highlight programming approaches and tools applicable to practitioners in the field, and share examples from diverse country contexts that have been employed in UNICEF’s programming around the world. They aim to promote awareness of promising approaches and foster collaboration between child rights organizations and the wider community of practice in public financial management at the subnational level.