Europe & CIS

Good practices in public finance are critical in combating corruption, alleviating poverty, and guaranteeing an effective use of government resources. However, only the presence of a vigilant public opinion can guarantee the sustainability and efficiency of a reformed public finance. Therefore the attention should be devoted to capacity building activities both for governmental organizations and for researchers, media and non governmental think-tanks. There is a need in the Western Balkans and CIS region to address capacity gaps in public finance from a multidimensional perspective that puts people at the centre. The experience from countries that entered the European Union should be used to identify key lessons learned and to encourage later comers to follow an inclusive growth path.

Public finance reform is widely regarded as one of the most successful areas in Slovakia’s economic transition. This is proven by the fiscal consolidation realized during the current decade, the reductions in taxation, the ease with which Slovakia was able to meet the Maastricht public deficit and debt criteria for its entry (January 2009) into the Euro Area, the decentralization of public finances, and the alignment of fiscal and social policy reforms.

In light of the importance of Slovakia’s experience for other transition economies, and the priorities of Slovakia development cooperation, the Strengthening Public Finance Capacities in the Western Balkans and Commonwealth of Independent States programme (hereinafter referred to as programme) will promote Slovak public finance experience through the engagement of Slovakia’s Ministry of Finance (in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Slovak Aid) and other experts. The programme will be implemented by UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre during a three-year period. It will focus on Slovakia’s ODA priority countries of Europe and the CIS. Objectives include: (1) Development of analytical capacity and building skills in the area of public finance reform for poverty reduction, jobs creation and social inclusion; (2) Increasing awareness and understanding of public finance concepts for poverty reduction, human development and social inclusion; and (3) Knowledge sharing and dissemination through dissemination of studies, knowledge, best practices, and improved outreach, via cooperation within wider Europe and with developing countries.

Key activities ensuring achievement of the programme objectives include: thematic trainings for professionals, policy makers, researchers, and NGO representatives from Slovakia’s priority countries on public finance reform; joint research, designed and implemented jointly by teams of researchers from Slovakia and priority countries; small grant research schemes for junior researchers specializing in public finance reforms; contests for the best diploma work in the public finance dimensions of poverty reduction; support for conference participation for scholars/researchers/policy makers from Slovakia and target countries on public finance and development topics, located both in Slovakia and abroad; stand alone lectures on public finance and Slovak reforms in universities of the region; support to the translation, publication and dissemination of research works promoting Slovak public finance reforms; professional exchange to strengthen inter linkages between researchers and policy makers in Slovakia and priority countries.
 

daniela.gasparikova@undp.org