Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) 2026 Post-Budget Review Meeting

This Post-Budget Review meeting will provide an essential platform for inclusive, evidence-backed reflection on the 2026 National Budget. It reinforces CWGH’s commitment to strengthening public participation in health and ensuring that national resources are allocated and used in ways that advance equity, community wellbeing, and sustainable development

Date: 12 December 2025
Venue: Rainbow Hotel,  Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

1. Background and Rationale

On 27 November 2025, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion presented the 2026 National Budget, outlining Government’s fiscal priorities for the coming year. As the national policy environment continues to evolve amid economic constraints, climate-related shocks, public health needs, and competing development priorities, it is critical for communities and civil society to understand how the budget responds to key social and economic challenges particularly health financing, social protection, youth empowerment, gender equality, and inclusive economic development.

The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), as a long-standing community-centred organisation promoting public participation in health, recognizes the need for an accessible, multi-stakeholder space to analyze the implications of the 2026 National Budget. This Post-Budget Review will allow diverse voices women, youth, people with disabilities (PWDs), the informal sector, parliamentarians, CSOs, faith-based actors, economists, business leaders, and trade unions to jointly unpack the budget allocations and identify opportunities for advocacy, collaboration, and improved public accountability.

2. Purpose of the Meeting
To provide a platform for multi-sectoral stakeholders to analyse the 2026 National Budget, assess its implications for health and social development, and collectively identify priority advocacy issues to strengthen community-responsive public financing

3. Objectives
 Analyse the key allocations and policy directions in the 2026 National Budget,
 Assess the implications for health, social development, and community welfare,
 Identify priority advocacy issues to promote equitable and community-responsive public financing.

4. Expected Participants
• Government departments including Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health
• Civil society organizations (CSOs)
• Women’s groups and gender advocates
• Youth networks and Media
• Organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs)
• Informal sector associations
• Business community representatives
• Faith-based organizations
• Trade unions
• Parliamentary Portfolio Committees (Health, Budget & Finance,)