During its initial phase – when the focus was more on research, CBGA developed contact with groups/organisations working at the grassroots level. When interaction with these groups increased over time, it became more evident that decentralising budget analysis and building capacities of civil society groups at various levels is crucial in demystifying the budget process for the larger public. Also, it was felt equally important to study/analyse the budgets at various levels to hold the Government accountable at each level of governance.

CBGA organises capacity building workshops on Budget Analysis and Advocacy. The Centre has worked in partnership with diverse organisations, conducting capacity building workshops. Such workshops have been held for NGOs, international NGOs as well as orientation programmes for UN agencies; and several others where resource inputs have been provided on budget analysis for specific sessions.

These were the initial thoughts that encouraged CBGA to envisage capacity building as a separate activity. Meanwhile, CBGA was requested, on several occasions, by various groups to provide training to their staff and partner groups on budget analysis and advocacy.