Understand the National Budget.
Participate in National Progress.
Be Clear Bahamas is ORG’s flagship civic education initiative that helps Bahamians make sense of the national budget — not just what’s in it, but why it matters. Public money shapes the schools our children attend, the roads we drive on, and the services our communities rely on. Yet too often, the budget feels out of reach. Be Clear aims to change that by equipping citizens with the knowledge and tools to ask better questions, hold government accountable, and advocate for fair and effective spending.
At its core, Be Clear promotes transparency, trust, and participation — empowering everyday Bahamians to engage with how public funds are allocated and to play an active role in building a more inclusive, responsive government.
Whether you’re a student, teacher, community leader or concerned citizen — now is the time to get informed and get involved.
Whether you’re a student, teacher, community leader or concerned citizen — now is the time to get informed and get involved.
Be Clear Bahamas Webinar
Join us on Thursday, July 3rd for the Be Clear Bahamas Webinar!
Learn how the national budget works, how public funds are managed, and why fiscal literacy matters to YOU and your community.
Date: Thursday, July 3rd
Don’t miss this important conversation!
What is Be Clear?
Be Clear is a civic literacy program focused on:
- Financial & Budget Literacy
- Media & Digital Literacy
- Critical Thinking & Public Trust
- Civic Engagement and Advocacy
The initiative is designed for all Bahamians, especially students, educators, community leaders, and everyday citizens who want to better understand national policies and shape their communities.
Key Learning Areas
The program covers eight core learning areas:
Understanding the Government’s Budget
The national budget is the government’s financial plan for how it will raise and spend money over a fiscal year. Revenue comes from sources like VAT, customs duties, and property taxes. Spending includes things like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social services. The budget shows national priorities and affects every Bahamian’s daily life.
Stages of the Budget Process
- Pre-Preparation – economic forecasting and setting priorities
- Formulation – government ministries submit funding needs; Ministry of Finance drafts the budget
- Enactment – Parliament debates and approves the budget
- Implementation – government starts collecting revenue and spending as planned
- Evaluation – spending is reviewed to assess performance and accountability
Statutory Provisions for Public Finance
The budget is governed by:
- The Constitution of The Bahamas, Articles 59–60
- The Financial Administration and Audit Act
- The Public Finance Management Act
These laws ensure public money is spent lawfully, efficiently, and transparently, with required reporting and oversight.
Critical Thinking & Decision-Making
Critical thinking helps you question assumptions, assess information, and make sound decisions. Ask “why?”, seek evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and reflect on your reasoning. It’s a key skill for evaluating government decisions and policies.
Media & Digital Literacy
Being media literate means understanding how news is created and how to identify bias. It also means knowing how to use digital tools responsibly, fact-check information, and avoid misinformation. Always check the source, date, and author before trusting or sharing a story.
Evaluating Credible Information
A credible source is current, backed by evidence, and produced by experts or trusted institutions. Watch out for red flags like missing citations, overly emotional language, or unknown authors. Bias, sensationalism, and lack of accountability often point to unreliable content.
Public Trust & Government Accountability
Trust in government grows when decisions are transparent, fair, and inclusive. Accountability means officials must explain and justify their actions. Citizens can support this by demanding access to information, fair treatment, and consistent responses to public concerns.
Citizen Participation in Budgeting
You can get involved by attending public budget consultations, joining advocacy groups, and sharing feedback with your MP. Monitoring how money is spent in your area helps identify waste or inequality — and pushes for improvements that matter to your community.
Resources & Tools
These resources are accessible through workshops, presentations, online guides, and interactive sessions with students and community groups.
Be Clear Bahamas 1st Edition Toolkit
Be Clear Bahamas School Presentation
Be Clear Budget Analysis Exercise
Don’t Be Fooled: Spot Media Bias & Misinformation
Strong democracies rely on well-informed citizens.
✔ Look for credible sources (reputable publishers, named authors)
✔ Be wary of emotional language, sensational headlines
✔ Cross-check facts with multiple sources
✔ Watch for missing citations or data
✔ Ask: Who benefits from this message?
Statutory Provisions
A breakdown of the laws that govern public finance in The Bahamas, including:
The Constitution (Articles 128–133)
This chapter establishes the legal foundation for national budgeting and public finance. It requires the Minister of Finance to present an annual budget (called “Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure”) to Parliament before the new fiscal year begins. It also governs how money is withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund and how unplanned or emergency spending must be handled.
The Financial Administration and Audit Act
This Act sets the standards for how government agencies handle money — including bookkeeping, audits, and financial reporting. It also outlines the role of the Auditor General in checking how funds are used.
The Public Finance Management Act
This more recent law focuses on making sure public money is spent effectively. It introduces modern budgeting tools like performance-based planning and requires long-term financial forecasting. Ministries must show how their budgets meet national goals.
More About Be Clear Bahamas
The aim of Be Clear Bahamas is to educate, engage, and empower Bahamians about national spending and to provide a Fiscal Transparency Portal as a regular and reliable source of fiscal information.
How Citizens Can Participate
✔️ Attend public consultations
✔️ Organize or join advocacy groups
✔️ Monitor local budget allocations
✔️ Submit community budget priorities
✔️ Encourage civic education in schools
The aim of Be Clear Bahamas is to educate, engage, and empower Bahamians about national spending and to provide a Fiscal Transparency Portal as a regular and reliable source of fiscal information.
Get Involved
Want to host a workshop, join a webinar, or bring Be Clear to your classroom or community?
Contact Us to collaborate with our team.
Sign-Up for Updates to get notified about new tools and upcoming sessions
Be Clear FAQs
What is fiscal literacy?
Fiscal literacy is the ability to understand how government finances work — including how money is raised through taxes, how it is spent on national priorities, and how financial decisions affect the economy and our daily lives. It empowers citizens to ask informed questions, understand the national budget, and advocate for responsible public spending.
Why should I care about the national budget?
The national budget shapes every aspect of life in The Bahamas — from healthcare and education to public infrastructure, employment, and social services. Understanding the budget helps you hold government accountable, identify funding gaps in your community, and contribute meaningfully to national progress.
How can I give input on the national budget?
Citizens can engage through:
- Public consultations hosted by the government
- Community advocacy efforts
- Submitting written suggestions or concerns to their MP
Participating in budget literacy programs like Be Clear
Your voice matters — and can influence how funds are allocated.
Can ORG help me understand how my constituency is funded?
Yes. ORG can help you access and interpret publicly available information to better understand how funds are allocated across constituencies. We provide tools, workshops, and direct guidance to help citizens track spending and identify opportunities to advocate for their communities.
What are the stages of the national budget process?
There are five main stages:
- Pre-Preparation – economic forecasting and setting priorities
- Formulation – drafting the budget by the Ministry of Finance
- Enactment – approval by Parliament
- Implementation – spending and revenue collection begins
- Evaluation – reviewing actual outcomes and impact
At each stage, there are opportunities for public input and monitoring.
What laws govern the national budget in The Bahamas?
The budget process is guided by:
- The Constitution of The Bahamas (Articles 59 & 60)
- The Financial Administration and Audit Act
- The Public Finance Management Act
These laws establish rules for how government revenue is collected, managed, and reported.
How does fiscal literacy promote better governance?
When citizens understand public finance, they are better equipped to:
- Ask the right questions
- Demand accountability
- Identify misuse or inefficiencies
- Engage in budget monitoring
This builds trust, transparency, and a more responsive government.
What is Be Clear Bahamas?
Be Clear Bahamas is a civic education program by ORG that helps Bahamians understand how the national budget works and why it matters. Through workshops, toolkits, and public sessions, it provides the knowledge and tools for active civic participation and financial awareness.
Still have questions about the budget? Let’s Be Clear.
Email Ari at: ariannah@orgbahamas.com
Ariannah Wells
Senior Manager of Outreach