Participatory Budgeting in Angola: Nongovernmental Contributions from Development Workshop Angola and Acção para o Desenvolvimento Rural e Ambiente

Various governments are increasingly turning to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to implement Participatory Budgeting (PB), yet limited research exists on NGO contributions within traditionally centralized government systems. This study utilizes an exploratory multiple-case design and 22 in-depth semi-structured interviews with PB stakeholders to investigate how NGOs contribute to the implementation of PB and how government–NGO relationships and government structures shape NGOs’ involvement in the PB process in Angola’s traditionally centralized setting. The findings suggest that NGOs play a crucial role in institutionalizing and strengthening PB by fostering public learning, promoting active citizenship, and improving social justice. Contracted NGOs, such as ADRA, typically assume complementary roles by directly supporting government-led PB implementation and service delivery. In contrast, noncontracted NGOs, such as DWA, often operate in a supplementary capacity, addressing government capacity gaps through civic education, budget training, and collaborative initiatives that indirectly reinforce PB.