eelarvestamine

Eelarvestamine refers to the process of forecasting and planning expenditures and revenues before the formal budget is prepared or adopted. It is used in public finance and corporate governance to provide early visibility into resource needs and policy effects.

The term comes from eel- meaning before and arvestamine meaning accounting or forecasting. In Estonian administrative usage, eelarvestamine describes pre-budget forecasting and planning activities, distinct from the final budget formulation and approval.

The process typically involves collecting macroeconomic projections, revenue estimates, and cost assessments for proposed policies; conducting scenario analyses and risk assessments; consulting stakeholders; and producing indicative budget envelopes and policy option papers. Inputs are prepared by ministries and planning units under the supervision of the finance authority.

Benefits include earlier alignment of policy aims with available resources, improved transparency, and better prioritization. Challenges include forecast uncertainty, data gaps, and the risk of political influence on projections. Successful eelarvestamine requires reliable data systems, regular updates, and clear governance.

In Estonia, eelarvestamine is typically integrated into the annual budget cycle, guiding negotiations and informing the final appropriations.