About this online course

Gaps in economic growth and development motivate countries to introduce various structural reforms. The objective of structural reforms is to break a cycle of negative or low growth and high unemployment and achieve potential growth and economic resilience. To better understand the impact of a certain structural reform, it is important to have a clear picture of the process that precedes measuring it.

Since the impacts of structural reforms on the economy vary, a wide range of indicators is used to measure them quantitatively or qualitatively. Taking this into account, participants of this online course will be encouraged to make qualitative and elementary quantitative estimations of structural reforms' impacts. The online course will thus showcase simpler methods that can be used by skillful analysts at ministries of finance and/or line ministries. More sophisticated methods (time series analysis, economic models, etc.) will be examined in light of good practices from some countries. The course will be based on real-life examples of different methods used across the countries.

In this online course, the emphasis will be put on understanding how to use results (non-technical knowledge), rather than on implementing estimation methods (technical knowledge). It will address the two directions of structural reforms’ implications: their economic impact (competitiveness, growth) and employment impact. Given that structural reforms may have varying implications over time, we will also consider the timeframes in which the implications are estimated.

Estimated qualitative and quantitative impacts of proposed structural reforms represent important criteria for their prioritization. Therefore, the course will conclude with a discussion on how the policy prioritization process depends on the roles and responsibilities of different institutions; the needed capacities of line ministries and ministry of finance; and inter- and intra-institutional coordination within a government.

What you will learn

Upon completion of this online course, you will be able to:

• Determine what is considered a structural reform and what is not
• Understand what is impact assessment and how its findings can be used to support policy making processes
• Learn about different methods for estimating the impact of structural reforms, beyond their fiscal implications
• Determine the roles of various institutions and capacities needed to carry out such assessment
• Exchange information on methods and approaches currently used across the IPA countries for their Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs)

Who should attend

This online course is designed for the officials of:

• Analytical and policy departments of line ministries working on the preparation of structural reforms in their institution
• Macro-fiscal department of the Ministry of Finance
• Finance departments of line ministries
• Budget department of the Ministry of Finance
• Institutions coordinating the ERP preparation process

Faculty

The learning initiative will be delivered by:

• Irena Drmaž, CEF Expert, Budget Director, Ministry of Finance, Slovenia
• Jelena Rančić, CEF Local Expert, Quantitative Analytics Coordinator, NALED, Former Assistant Minister, Ministry of Finance of Serbia
• Merdža Handalić Plahonjić, CEF Local Expert, Public Financial Management Expert, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Practical information

Applications are to be submitted by May 12, 2021 via an online application form.

• This course will be delivered online in the period between May 17 – 31, 2021, and will entail 15 learning hours.
• It will feature two joint online meetings and preparation of a group assignment. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend additional consultative meetings with experts to discuss their assignments and get support and clarifications.
• Learning materials will be available in the local language and the online meetings will include simultaneous translation.
• To participate in this online course, basic information technology is needed (internet connection and computer/tablet).
• Upon successful completion of this online course, you will receive a certificate.
• No participation fee will be charged.

Partners

This event is delivered as part of the EU funded multi-country project “Strengthening Line Ministries’ Capacities to Assess Fiscal Implications of Structural Reforms” implemented by the Center of Excellence in Finance.