Sectoral Policymaking

We promote a structured discussion and analysis of sector-specific policies by strengthening the capacities of line ministries (LMs) to position them within the wider policy planning frameworks. We build capacities to assess fiscal implications of various sectorial policies and discuss how to integrate them into budgetary planning frameworks. We particulary focus on structural reforms, and strengthening LMs capacities to describe, sequence, prioritize and negotiate them. Our activities also look into how the relationship between LMs, ministries of finance and other central government planning bodies (e. g. Prime minister’s office, policy secretariat) can be more coordinated and strengthened.

Topic lead

Tara Poje

Officer, Learning Program

tara.poje(at)cef-see.org

2024 Highlights

Building upon the conclusions from a close and intensive cooperation over the previous years, in 2024 we continue with providing support to the process of Economic Reform Program (ERP) preparation across the Western Balkans and Turkiye, in its new cycle for 2024-2026. In particular, we will focus on dilemmas related to the labor market and education system structural reforms, to ensure their adequate planning, sequencing, costing and budgeting.

Related events

Impact Assessment and Monitoring Implementation of Structural Reforms

Online Course: March 8 – December 31, 2024

Empowering Coordinators to Navigate Structural Reforms from the Reform Agenda

Workshop: May 15 – 16, 2024

Knowledge Sharing within the Network of Regional Experts No.6

Online Meeting: May 30, 2024

Launching the Preparation of ERP 2025–2027

Webinar: July, 2024

WeWrite: Presentation of Policy Papers

Workshop: August 31 – September 3, 2024

Fiscal Space for Structural Reforms

Online Course: September 24 – October 8, 2024

Programming Structural Reforms for the ERP 2025-2027 (beneficiary-specific workshops)

Workshop: October or November, 2024

Beneficiary-specific Impact Assessment of Structural Reforms

Blended Learning: October or November, 2024

Knowledge Sharing within the Network of Regional Experts No.7

Online Meeting: December, 2024

How to Make a Good Structural Reform

Online Course: December, 2024December, 2025

Navigating the Complexities of Economic Reform Programme Coordination Process

As part of the ongoing "Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks" (FISR2) project, we are pleased to announce the release of a new publication titled "Good Practices in Economic Reform Programme (ERP) Coordination Processes”. This thorough analysis with case studies focuses on the complexities of coordinating ERP processes in the Western Balkans and Türkiye and offers an overview of the challenges and successes encountered in aligning structural reforms with budgetary processes and national strategic planning.

Active Pursuit of Labor Market Reforms in the Western Balkans and Türkiye

Prioritizing labor market reforms remains a critical focus on the reform agenda in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The recent “Managing Labor Market Structural Reforms” workshop presented a valuable opportunity for officials to exchange ideas on labor and education reforms, aligning with the ongoing Reform Agenda and their positions within the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) process. Additionally, this workshop also served as a unique platform for reviewing examples of labor market structural reforms outlined in ERPs, encouraging reflection on potential implementation strategies, and enhancing capacities to tackle labor market challenges.

Learning about Key Performance Indicators for Assessing the Structural Reforms

After weeks of blended learning that started in early November, participants from the Western Balkans and Türkiye wrapped up their learning and knowledge sharing experience with an engaging face-to-face workshop at the CEF headquarters in Ljubljana. Guided by experts Janez Šušteršič and Jelena Rančić, the focus of the event was the introduction of the recently published manual titled “Selecting Key Performance Indicators for Monitoring the Results of Structural Reform Measures in Economic Reform Programmes.”

Empowering the Understanding of the Economic Reform Program Cycle through Self-Paced Online Learning

As part of the “Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks” (FISR2) project, we are happy to announce the start of the self-paced online course for public officials who wish to learn how to create effective and coherent Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs). The ERPs play a crucial role in the European economic governance framework, serving as a bridge to European Union standards and fostering essential policy dialogues.

Exciting Learning Opportunities Are Set to Begin Shortly

With the arrival of autumn, we invite you to embrace this season as an opportunity for fresh starts and the pursuit of learning and sharing knowledge. We will continue offering online and in-classroom learning opportunities across four thematic priorities we have specified for our work: public financial management, central banking, leadership for managing reforms, and learning and knowledge ecosystems.

Empowering Public Institutions to Become Learning Organizations

Public institutions operate in a dynamic and ever-changing environment that presents a variety of challenges and opportunities. To succeed in this environment, public institutions must be proactive, innovative, and able to work collaboratively with other organizations and stakeholders. They also need to have a strong sense of purpose and be committed to continuous learning and improvement. In this context during recent training of trainers, we were happy to explore what it takes for a public institution to transform into a learning organization following the CEF’s methodology of becoming a learning organization.

Health Care Reforms as a Priority Area in Economic Reform Programmes

Given that health care reforms continue to pose a significant fiscal challenge in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, it is understandable that incorporating them into the Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs) has become a priority since 2020. Accordingly, we remain committed to providing ongoing support to EU candidates and potential candidates in the strengthening their capacities to plan, sequence, cost, and budget health care structural reforms.

Strengthening Capacity Development in South East Europe: An Interview with IMF Advisors at the CEF

The CEF currently hosts two International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department (IMF FAD) technical assistance advisors, covering public financial management (PFM) and revenue administration (RA). We were happy to talk to Yasemin Hurcan and Jim Sørensen. They provide capacity development (CD) support to the six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) under the Revenue Administration and Public Financial Management CD Program in South East Europe with the financial support from the European Commission and the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs. They work with CEF colleagues to create synergies between IMF CD activities and CEF learning events to help address the region's PFM and RA challenges.

Learning Never Stops

We enjoyed talking to Vesna Cvetanova about her experience attending available learning opportunities within the multi-beneficiary capacity development project “Structural Reforms Better Integrated Within Fiscal Frameworks” (FISR2) funded by the European Union. Ms. Cvetanova, Head of the Macroeconomic Policy Department at the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia, has been involved in the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) process in North Macedonia for several years. In this capacity, attending FISR2 learning events has been of particular professional interest to her as through this project we aim to strengthen the integration of structural reforms within fiscal frameworks in the ERPs.

Network of Regional Experts: Sharing Best Practices about Economic Reform Programmes

With the implementation of the EU-funded multi-beneficiary project “Structural Reforms Better Integrated within Fiscal Frameworks” (FISR2), we are supporting EU candidates and potential candidates from the Western Balkans and Turkey to strengthen the quality and implementation of their the Economic Reform Programmes (ERP). One of the important areas of support within FISR2 includes also better knowledge management and exchange on the ERP process. Here the Network of Regional Experts (NRE) plays an important role.

ERP and IPA Coordinators: Way Forward Is in Collaboration

We were happy to bring together public officials involved in the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) development process and the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) Programming from the Western Balkans and Türkiye. We discussed possible ways of linking policy measures of the ERP with the IPA III. Teaming up with the IEDC-Bled School of Management we also explored models of collaboration that can boost synergies between the ERP as a process and IPA as a supporting instrument.

We Are Ready to Start with Autumn Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Autumn is perfect for new beginnings and settling back into a learning and knowledge sharing routine again. Let words by our director Jana Repanšek be an invitation and motivation to join us for new learning opportunities either online or at our premises in Ljubljana.