Series:PAR - Public Administration Reform Monitor

REGIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Western Balkan Region

REGIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Western Balkan Region

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Public Administration;

Monitoring Report on the process of Public Administration Reforms in 2021 and 2022 in the various regional countries //The PAR Monitor 2021/2022 is the result of monitoring work performed during 2022 by the Think for Europe Network, and it represents a compilation report of all the key findings for the entire Western Balkan region in six areas of PAR defined by the SIGMA Principles of Public Administration. Furthermore, as the third systematic PAR monitoring in the region by civil society, this report offers benchmarking between WB administrations and comparison with the baseline 2017/2018, and 2019/2020 monitoring cycles. PAR Monitor reports are based on a comprehensive methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team, combining quantitative and qualitative evidence sources. With the EU-SIGMA Principles as the building blocks of monitoring work, PAR Monitor reports complement the same type of work of the SIGMA/OECD and the European Commission and offer citizen and civil society perspectives on these Principles. Together with this comparative regional report, the PAR Monitor package consists of six national reports, each including findings on the 23 compound indicators to monitor a selection of SIGMA Principles.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Albania

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Albania

Author(s): Alban Dafa,Ina Shënplaku / Language(s): English

The report presents the results of monitoring work performed during February 2022 – September 2022 by the IDM research team. The methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team ahead of the 2017/2018 monitoring cycle combines quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence. With the SIGMA principles as the building blocks of our monitoring work, this report – as well as the other national reports produced by our colleagues in the region – are complementary to similar work conducted by SIGMA/OECD and the European Commission. A crucial point of difference is that this report seeks to highlight the civil society perspective on PAR implementation by assessing mainly SIGMA principles and indicators that measure civil society and the wider public perceptions on key issues such as transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in policymaking.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Bosnia and Herzegovina

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Haris Ćutahija / Language(s): English

The PAR Monitor 2021/2022 is the result of monitoring work performed in 2021/2022 by the members of the Think for Europe Network, and it represents a compilation report of key findings from across the Western Balkans in the six areas of PAR defined by the Principles of Public Administration (SIGMA principles). As the third systematic PAR monitoring done in the region by civil society, this report offers not only comparisons between Western Balkan (WB) administrations, but also comparison with the baseline PAR Monitor findings of the the 2017/2018 and 2019/2020 monitoring cycle.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Kosovo

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Kosovo

Author(s): Ema Pula,Lirika Agusholli-Berisha,Arbëresha Loxha-Stublla / Language(s): English

The recent adoption of the Public Administration Reform, Public Finance Management, and National Development in Kosovo marks a significant step forward. However, our monitoring efforts for the 2021/22 cycle did not cover these strategies, and the involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) during their formulation was limited. Despite this, all strategies underwent public consultations, adhering to the Regulation on Minimum Standards for Public Consultations, which mandates public input in the development of draft strategies. // In terms of PAR management, the organizational framework remains largely unchanged, with a few modifications. The Ministerial Council of Public Administration Reform (MCPAR) and the Structures Responsible for Coordination, Monitoring, and Implementation (SRCMI) of PAR Strategic Documents were established. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is now responsible for PAR coordination, while the Department for Administrative Reform Management within the ministry oversees the coordination and monitoring of PAR strategic documents.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: North-Macedonia

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: North-Macedonia

Author(s): Juliana Karai,Angel Mojsovski / Language(s): English

The National PAR Monitor for North Macedonia 2021/2022 is the result of the monitoring carried out in 2021 and 2022 by the EPI team and shows the key findings of the six areas of RDA defined by the principles of public administration (SIGMA principles). It is the third systematic monitoring of the RJA conducted in the region by civil society, which offers not only comparisons between the administrations of the Western Balkans (WB) but also a comparison with the basic findings of the RJA monitor from 2017/2018 and 2019/2020 . The RJA Monitor reports are based on a comprehensive methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team, which combines quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence. With the SIGMA principles as the basis of monitoring, the reports are complementary to similar work by SIGMA/OECD and the European Commission, and differ in that they offer citizens and civil society perspectives on these principles. Along with this comparative regional report, the RJA Monitor package consists of six national reports with findings on a total of 23 complex indicators for monitoring selected SIGMA principles.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Montenegro

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Montenegro

Author(s): Ana Đurnić,Marko Šošić,Dragana Jaćimović / Language(s): English

When it comes to overseeing the implementation of the PAR Strategy and participation of CSOs, administrative structure for PAR coordination In Montenegro does not include representatives of CSOs, while the political level PAR Council does. Formal conditions of the Council’s work are commendable, particular compared to similar bodies in the region. However, the role and impact of the Council on the key PAR processes as well as its substantial contribution to the documents it discusses is assessed as negligible and it only held three sessions in two years.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Serbia

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2021/2022: Serbia

Author(s): Milica Divljak,Milica Škorić,Sava Mitrović / Language(s): English

Public administration reform (PAR), as an integral part of the first cluster, is one of the fundamental conditions on the way to the EU membership. In the Western Balkans region, this reform has been assessed for years through the lenses of the SIGMA Principles of Public Administration, developed by OECD/SIGMA and endorsed by the EU. These Principles define what makes a well-functioning administration in terms of its ability to deliver transparent, efficient and effective services to citizens and to support socio-economic development. In the context of high external pressure for tangible developments in PAR, homegrown demand for better administration becomes even more important to keep pressuring the government to pursue reforms once the external conditionality dissipates as a result of a completed EU accession process. Civil society actors, with local knowledge of the administration’s functioning, can lead such domestic advocacy efforts aimed at better administration. Independent PAR monitoring and evidence-based dialogue with the government represent a good approach to achieving this goal.

REGIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Western Balkans

REGIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Western Balkans

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

The PAR Monitor 2019/2020 is the result of monitoring work performed in 2020 by the members of the Think for Europe Network, and it represents a compilation report of key ndings from across the Western Balkans in the six areas of PAR dened by the Principles of Public Administration (SIGMA principles). As the second systematic PAR monitoring done in the region by civil society, this report oers not only comparisons between Western Balkan (WB) administrations, but also comparison with the baseline PAR Monitor ndings of the 2017/2018 monitoring cycle. PAR Monitor reports are based on a comprehensive methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team that combines quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence. With the SIGMA principles as the building blocks of monitoring work, PAR Monitor reports are complementary to similar work by SIGMA/OECD and the European Commission, diering in that they oer citizen and civil society perspectives on these principles. Together with this comparative regional report, the PAR Monitor package consists of six national reports, each including ndings on a total of 23 compound indicators to monitor a selection of SIGMA Principles.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Albania

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Albania

Author(s): Alban Dafa / Language(s): English

The report presents the results of monitoring work performed during February 2020 – December 2020 by the IDM research team. The methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team during the previous monitoring cycle (2017/2018) combines quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence. With the SIGMA principles as the building blocks of our monitoring work, this report – as well as the other national reports produced by our colleagues in the region – are complementary to similar work conducted by SIGMA/OECD and the European Commission. A crucial point of difference is this report seeks to highlight the civil society perspective on PAR implementation by assessing mainly SIGMA principles and indicators that measure civil society and the wider public perceptions on key issues such as transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in policymaking.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Bosnia and Herzegovina

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Anida Šabanović,Haris Ćutahija / Language(s): English

In the context of high external pressure for tangible developments in PAR, homegrown demand for better administration becomes even more important to keep pressuring the government to pursue reforms once the external conditionality dissipates as a result of a completed EU accession process. Civil society actors, with local knowledge of the administration’s functioning, can lead such domestic advocacy efforts aimed at better administration. Independent PAR monitoring and evidence-based dialogue with the government represent a good approach to achieve this goal.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Kosovo

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Kosovo

Author(s): Lirika Agusholli-Berisha,Ema Pula / Language(s): English

In Kosovo, civil society remains insufficiently consulted during the development of Public Administration Reform (PAR) strategic documents regarding the regulative framework. Civil society’s involvement at an early stage of consultations is absent, and proactiveness in inviting external stakeholders is an exception, particularly diverse groups of interests and publishing of consultation. Availability and reliability of information on all critical aspects of consultation processes is often missing. Based on the previous PAR Monitor of 2017-2018, the consultations on the development of Strategy for Modernization of PAR Action Plan for 2018-2020 remain the good practice example, as the process involved civil society from the very beginning via the National Platform for Public Consultations.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: North-Macedonia

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: North-Macedonia

Author(s): Angel Mojsovski,Juliana Karai / Language(s): English

Monitor reports are based on a comprehensive methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team that combines quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence. With the SIGMA principles as the building blocks of monitoring work, PAR Monitor reports are complementary to similar work by SIGMA/OECD and the European Commission, differing in that they offer citizen and civil society perspectives on these principles. Together with this comparative regional report, the PAR Monitor package consists of six national reports, each including findings on a total of 23 compound indicators to monitor a selection of SIGMA Principles. In line with the mission of the WeBER initiative, these monitoring exercises are driven by the necessity to strengthen domestic, bottom-up pressure for PAR from civil society in the region, especially from the view of keeping demand for this reform ongoing in the event of the loosening of the EU’s conditionality which may come with membership in the Union. All findings from this report and from the baseline PAR Monitor 2017/2018 can be accessed and compared on the Regional PAR Scoreboard at www.par-monitor.org.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Montenegro

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Montenegro

Author(s): Ana Đurnić,Marko Šošić / Language(s): English

When it comes to overseeing the implementation of the PAR Strategy and participation of CSOs, administrative structure for PAR coordination In Montenegro does not include representatives of CSOs, while the political level PAR Council does. Formal conditions of the Council’s work are commendable, particular compared to similar bodies in the region. However, the role and impact of the Council on the key PAR processes as well as its substantial contribution to the documents it discusses is assessed as negligible and it only held three sessions in two years.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Serbia

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2019/2020: Serbia

Author(s): Miloš Đinđić,Milena Lazarević,Dragana Bajić,Stefan Stojković / Language(s): English

Since the publication of the first edition of the Western Balkan PAR Monitor in 2018, the Western Balkan region (WB) has continued slowly their path towards further democratisation and modernisation of its societies, implementing the necessary structural, economic, and social reforms to improve the lives of citizens. These reform processes were, from their onset, stimulated by aspirations of becoming members of the EU, and they continue to be driven by the EU integration process and its inherent conditionalities. Good governance lies at the heart of the European integration project, requiring public administrations to be professional, reliable and predictable, open and transparent, efficient and effective, and accountable to their citizens. With the new strategy of the European Commission issued in early 2020, public administration reform (PAR) was reaffirmed as an area of fundamental reform in the EU’s enlargement policy. Accordingly, PAR joined the areas of rule of law, economic governance, and the functioning of democratic institutions as the basic pillars of reform which will constitute the foundation for the overall assessment of progress of aspiring EU members.

REGIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Western Balkans

REGIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Western Balkans

Author(s): Milena Lazarević,Miloš Đinđić / Language(s): English

For over 15 years, the Western Balkan (WB) countries have undergone democratisation and transition processes, embarking on deep structural, economic and social reforms to modernise their societies and improve the lives of their citizens. The reform processes are reinvigorated by the aspiration of these countries to become members of the European Union, and they are framed to a large extent by the EU integration process. Good governance lies at the heart of the European integration project, while a public administration that supports good governance needs to be professional, reliable and predictable, open and transparent, efficient and effective, and accountable to its citizens. Accordingly, reform of public administration has been acknowledged as one of the fundamental areas of reform on any country’s path to EU membership. WB countries have been implementing administrative reforms for over a decade now, but since 2014 the EU offers a set of principles for the accession countries to follow and comply with in this area in order to become successful EU member states.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Albania

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Albania

Author(s): Aleka Papa / Language(s): English

For over 15 years, the Western Balkan (WB) countries have undergone democratisation and transition processes, embarking onto deep structural, economic and social reforms to modernise their societies and improve the lives of their citizens. The reform processes are reinvigorated by the aspiration of these countries to become members of the European Union, and they are framed to a large extent by the EU integration process. Good governance lies at the heart of the European integration project, while a public administration that supports good governance needs to be professional, reliable and predictable, open and transparent, efficient and effective, and accountable to its citizens.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Bosnia and Herzegovina

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Anida Šabanović,Ana Bukovac / Language(s): English

In BiH, civil society organisations were not involved in the working group for drafting the new PAR Strategy. However, the Public Administration Reform in BiH Coordinator’s Office (PARCO BiH), after failing to ensure inclusion of CSOs, made an effort to engage informally with the interested CSOs outside of the formal consultation process to gather their opinions and comments. BiH PARCO foresee an involvement of CSOs but only for public consultation (for developing a strategy and action plan), where CSOs can give their suggestions, comments and feedback on final draft of the documents.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Kosovo

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Kosovo

Author(s): Arbëresha Loxha-Stublla / Language(s): English

Perception of the civil society in Kosovo takes largely negative turn when it comes to the Government’s work, particularly, its planning and transparency of decision-making. Positive perception is found regarding the use of externally produced evidence in policy making, and quality of consultations with civil society as well as towards the awareness of official online legislation database. In that regard, contrary to the assessment of publication and regularity of Government reporting public on the progress in the achievement of the objectives set in its workplan, only 5 % of CSOs agree that this is the case. Likewise, decision-making is perceived as transparent by a marginal 5% of surveyed civil society organisations (CSOs) whereas 43% shared a neutral opinion.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Macedonia

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Macedonia

Author(s): Aleksandra Ivanovska,Angel Mojsovski,Simonida Kacarska / Language(s): English

The general perception of citizens in Macedonia regarding the quality and accessibility of administrative services is divided. Almost the same percentage of citizens believe and disagree that dealing with the administration has become easier in the past two years. This leads to the conclusion that their experiences when acquiring services depends on the institution provider and the type of services that are provided. Nevertheless, the survey has also shown that digitalization has contributed to the positive opinion of citizens, as well as the general tendency and commitment of service providers to securing wider encompassing e-services. However, even though citizens think that e-services represent a step forward and they believe they are easy to use, they rarely use them. On the other hand, it is evident that the Government needs to improve its communication and consultation with citizens, as the perception is quite negative. Half of the citizens think that the administration has not asked for their opinion on how to improve administrative services and more than a half share the opinion that the Government has not used proposals from the citizens to improve the services. It is also unclear whether the Government has even conducted surveys and collected proposals from citizens, as this feedback is not available online.

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Montenegro

NATIONAL PAR-MONITOR 2017/2018: Montenegro

Author(s): Ana Đurnić,Marko Šošić / Language(s): English