eelarvetel

Eelarvetel is a term sometimes used in Estonian-language discussions of budgeting to describe the pre-budgeting phase, the period and activities that occur before the formal budget is drafted and approved. In eelarvetel, organizations identify needs, estimate costs, forecast revenue, and discuss policy priorities. The process often involves collecting input from departments, stakeholders, and sometimes the public, and it may yield a preliminary financial framework or scenarios that inform the main budget cycle.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from the prefix eel- meaning before and eelarve meaning budget, indicating its function as an initial planning stage. In official budgeting literature, eelarvetel is not a standardized term; more common expressions include eelarve (pre-budget) or eelarveprojekti (budget project) and eelarveprotsess (budget process). The lack of standardization means the exact activities labeled as eelarvetel can vary between organizations.

Context and outputs: Eelarvetel typically occurs at the outset of an annual or multi-year budgeting cycle. Its outputs may include a prioritized list of needs, cost estimates, revenue projections, policy scenarios, and a timeline for later stages of the budget process. These materials serve as input for the formal budget proposal reviewed by councils or boards.

See also: Eelarve, Eelarveprotsess, Eelarveprojekt, Public budgeting

Note: The term is relatively informal and may be used primarily in local government discussions or academic writings. In many contexts, the activities described align with what is usually referred to as the pre-budget or preliminary budgeting phase.