About this event

This learning initiative consists of two units, each one lasting a week. In the first unit we will discuss how to start exploring the possible sources of inefficiencies in spending of public money. IMF will present its Expenditure Assessment Tool, which is an international benchmarking exercise on country’s expenditures through different economic or functional categories. The tool is designed to identify specific areas (expenditures) of concern, which need to be further investigated. We will also learn about links between expenditure analysis and MTRS framework – Medium-term Revenue Strategy.

At the country level this tool would then need to be complemented by a more detailed sectoral analysis using detailed data only available to country’s ministries. In the second unit of this course we will be looking at some countries’ experiences on how to conduct deeper sectoral expenditure reviews which are required to inform policy reform options. We will learn from experience of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands. This unit will be organized in a highly participatory and interactive manner. Thus, the participants will be actively engaged in discussions and strongly encouraged to exchange their national experiences, good practices and challenges.

The online learning will take place on the CEF Online Learning Campus and will be delivered through four webinars, lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes (see the timeline on the right side of the page). The total workload per week, including webinars, is expected to be 4 hours per week.

Lead experts

Mercedes Garcia-Escribano, Expenditure Division, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF

Sebastien E. J. Walker, Economist, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF

Stephen John Vesperman, Technical Assistance Advisor, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF

Meeke van den Heuvel – de Grooth, former Coordinator spending reviews at Inspection of State budget, Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands

Melek Öncü, National Academy for Finance and Economics, Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands

Matej Kurian, Value for Money Unit, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovakia

Peter Mandzak, Value for Money Unit, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovakia

Who should attend

The course is intended for officials of finance departments within line ministries and budget analysts in ministries of finance. Thus, officials from the CEF constituency countries and beyond are welcomed and strongly encouraged to apply.

Practical information

Applications need to be submitted no later than May 27 via the online application form. Candidates will first be approved by the CEF; confirmations will be sent to selected candidates by May 28. No fee will be charged. The workshop will be delivered in English and no translation will be provided.

Partners

This learning initiative is delivered as part of the EU funded multi-country program aimed at strengthening line ministries’ capacities to assess fiscal implications of structural reforms. It is delivered in cooperation with IMF, the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of finance of Netherlands.