Published: 12:01 AM, 20 May 2026
'A People-Centred Budget Must Reflect Government Priorities'
The newly elected government is set to announce the national budget for FY2026-27 for the first time, presenting a key opportunity to translate its electoral commitments into action. The upcoming budget is expected to serve as the first major step toward implementing the government's pledges on inclusive growth, employment generation, youth skills development, gender equality, and climate resilience.
However, amid mounting global and domestic economic pressures, rising inflation, and escalating climate-induced crises, there is now an urgent need to establish sustainable protection mechanisms for marginalised communities - particularly women, youth, and populations most affected by climate change. Participants stressed that a balanced alignment between policy-level development ambitions and grassroots realities is essential to formulate a people-centred and forward-looking macroeconomic framework.
These observations were shared on Tuesday (May 19) at a dialogue titled "Fund Our Future Now: A People-Centred Budget for Women, Youth and Climate Justice", organised by ActionAid Bangladesh at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.
The event brought together leading economists, researchers, climate experts, academics, policymakers, and representatives of marginalised communities from across the country. During the discussion, a data-driven analysis of the national budgets over the past five fiscal years (FY2021-22 to FY2025-26) was presented, showing that although the overall budget size has steadily increased, allocations for sectors critical to sustainable development - including education, health, and gender-responsive budgeting - have remained stagnant relative to actual needs.
Speakers also underscored the importance of improving budget quality, implementation efficiency, and results-based initiatives.
