Researcher Mihaela Bronić participated in the conference Trust in Public Finance: Perceptions vs. Practice, held on June 10 and 11, 2025, in Zagreb, organized by the Centre of Excellence in Finance (CEF) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and this year it was held in partnership with the European Commission Representation in Croatia and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia.

In her plenary address, Bronić used the example of Croatia to discuss local budget transparency and the bottom-up approach to building public trust and civic engagement. She emphasized the crucial role of transparency in shaping public perception and highlighted the importance of local governments publishing clear and accessible budget information in order to encourage meaningful citizen participation which is an essential foundation for building trust in public finance.

The conference covered topics such as the role of auditing and financial mechanisms in public finance reforms, as well as the involvement of civil society in public finance, demonstrating how strong public financial management systems contribute to both greater transparency and enhanced public trust.

It brought together more than 100 experts, including policymakers, auditors, and civil society representatives, from 15 Southeast European countries.