About this learning event

This event is designed to provide participants with continued expert support in developing a comprehensive understanding of the impact assessment methodology and its practical application to reforms from the Reform Agenda 2024–2027 (RA). This knowledge will particularly serve as the basis for drafting Chapter 5A of the Economic Reform Program (ERP), and subsequently, the Annual Report on achievement of the Reform and Growth Facility’s objectives.

In coordination with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, several reforms from the RA have been selected for impact assessment during previous expert consultations. These include:

Business environment reforms:

• Improvement of public investment management and sustainable and efficient management of business entities owned by the Republic of Serbia
• Enhanced investment and development opportunities for entrepreneurs and private sector
• Enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector
• Development of the science and innovation ecosystem for a knowledge-based economy

Energy sector reforms:

• Implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (permitting, guarantees of origin, prosumers)
• Implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive, The Energy Performance of Building Directive, Ecodesign and energy labelling legislation
• Implementation of the Just Transition Action Plan
• Gradual tariff adjustments to cost recovery levels accompanied with measures to address energy poverty if and when needed
• Implementation of MRVA

Digitalization reforms:

• Deployment of the Intelligent Transport System and e-freight
• Further digitalisation of public services and administrative procedures for businesses and citizens
• Development of a secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, including rural broadband and 5G roll-out

Education and employment reforms:

• Improve labour market conditions including through ensuring adequate financial and institutional resources and capacities for activation in employment and social policies
• The quality of teaching and learning, equity and accessibility at all levels of education is improved
• Reduce the skills mismatch on the labour market and facilitate school-to-work transitions, including by stepping up further VET, including dual VET, strengthening adult education, training, and relevant up-skilling

Rule of law reforms:

• Improved fight against and prevention of corruption
• Reform of justice system

CEF experts will work closely with the macroeconomic team from the Ministry of Finance involved in preparation of ERP to conduct impact assessments, using a spreadsheet-based Impact Assessment Tool to support the analysis of economic impacts.

Part of the learning event will bring together a team from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of line ministries responsible for implementing selected high-impact reforms. It will provide an opportunity for ERP and RA teams to learn about and discuss the synergetic effects of closer cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and line ministries in assessing reform impacts, and to agree on the cooperation and joint work to finalize the impact assessment before the ERP submission deadline.

Who should attend

Participation in this event is “by invitation only” and is intended for officials involved in the implementation of the ERP and RA, as well as other representatives of public institutions engaged in coordinating and implementing Serbia’s reform agenda.
Participant from line ministries should be familiar with RA reforms in their area of responsibility and have good knowledge of developments and data in the respective sector.

Faculty

• Janez Šušteršič, CEF Associate Fellow, former Minister of Finance of Republic of Slovenia
• Jadranka Kaluđerović, CEF Expert
  

Partners

This event is delivered as part of the EU-funded multi-beneficiary project “Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks” (FISR2) implemented by the CEF.