About this learning event

Many of the Western Balkans countries have identified public financial management (PFM) reforms as a key priority for implementation in their 2024-2027 Reform Agendas. To meet the requirements for payment requests under the Reform Growth Facility (RFG) for the Western Balkans, the countries will need to demonstrate how they have strengthened their PFM systems to the European Commission. This initiative will gather representatives from Central Harmonization Units (CHUs) of the ministries of finance to discuss strategies for advancing public internal financial control (PIFC) systems. The initiative aligns with the Reform Agenda, recognizing the pivotal role of PIFC in PFM, which ensures accountability and efficiency in budget spending. We will explore the responsibilities of CHUs, the implementation of management tools such as risk management and financial management and control (FMC) in public sector institutions, and the monitoring of reform progress.

Who should attend

This event has been designed for officials involved in the preparation and implementation of the RA, as well as officials from the CHUs who lead and implement PIFC reforms.

What will you learn

In this workshop, participants will learn how strengthening Public Internal Financial Control (PIFC) supports broader Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms in line with the 2024–2027 Reform Agendas and the Reform Growth Facility (RFG) requirements. We will explore the role of Central Harmonization Units (CHUs), implementation of tools like risk management and financial management and control (FMC), and monitoring reform progress.

We will also look at how PIFC mapping aligns with the Reform Agenda (RA) and challenges related to it and how the role of CHUs evolves after EU accession, highlighting changes in responsibilities and compliance with EU standards.

Faculty

• Davor Kozina, Head of Service for coordination of internal control system development, Ministry of Finance, CHU 
• Manfred van Kesteren, International Expert on Public Internal Financial Control

Partners

This event is delivered as part of the EU-funded multi-beneficiary project “Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks” (FISR 2) implemented by the CEF.