About this learning event

Structural reform measures outlined in the ERPs are set to tackle the most important structural obstacles to competitiveness and inclusive growth of a country, while also reflecting their medium-term priorities in various areas. In the situation where macro-fiscal stability and fiscal risks are additionally highlighted due to global economic developments, it is even more important that all measures introduced to the ERP are well prioritized and realistically planned, costed and financed.

As a response, the objective of this event is to provide a platform for assessing the scope and accuracy of envisaged implementation costs and funding sources for the measures proposed for the 2023 – 2025 ERP, in line with the Methodological Guidance for Costing of Structural Reforms (CEF Costing Guidance) and the latest EC’s Guidance for the ERP preparation. We will also touch upon the descriptions and activities of the drafted structural reform measures in light of their alignment with the envisaged costs and funding, as well as on the key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring SRs. 

What will you learn

This workshop will be highly participatory and oriented toward practical implementation of the CEF Costing Guidance, to the structural reforms drafted for the next ERP. By attending it, the participants will have a possibility to meet and jointly work with their peers from other institutions involved in the ERP preparation process, under the guidance of the ERP Coordination Team, as well as experienced local and international experts. In particular, they will: 

•  Learn about the novelties from the EC‘s Guidance for the ERP 2023-2025 and how they influence the ERP preparation process 
• Refresh the knowledge about the CEF Costing Guidance and practically implement it on the draft measures 
• Appraise how well-articulated measures’ description and sequencing can contribute to realistic costs and secure funding for their implementation 
• Assessing how to effectively monitor the implementation of structural reforms by using KPIs. 

The event is designed in close cooperation with the ERP Coordination team in Albania, to secure the specific learning needs are well addressed. It builds on the series of CEF events for the public officials from Albania, that were delivered under the FISR project throughout 2019 – 2021.

Target audience

Invited to participate are the officials involved in the design, costing and budgeting of structural reforms outlined in the ERP, which include:  

• National ERP Coordinator and Coordinator for the ERP Chapter 5 on Structural Reforms 
• Members of the working group for the ERP preparation 
• Officials working at the finance and IPA departments of line ministries 
• Officials working at the budget department of the Ministry of Finance 
• Policy planning experts from the government’s policy coordination body and/or Prime Minister's office.

Lecturers

• Janez Šušteršič, CEF Associate Fellow, Professor of Economic Policy, Former Minister of Finance, Slovenia

Janez is a senior economic expert with more than 10 years of hands-on experience in formulating and implementing economic and fiscal policies. At the CEF he is an affiliated expert supporting the development and implementation of the FISR2 project and the thematic area Data and Analysis for Designing Policies. He led the Slovenian government's macroeconomic institute (IMAD) from 2000 to 2007. He was Vice-President of the ECOFIN's Economic Policy Committee and, in 2012, finance minister of Slovenia designing the policy of fiscal consolidation and banking crisis resolution. Today he is a partner in a private firm RE-FORMA, d.o.o., and a full professor of economic policy. Since 2013, he has worked as an international consultant for the OECD and on a wide range of technical assistance projects.

• Marsed Harizi, CEF Expert, Independent consultant, former Senior Economist at Ministry of Finance & Economy, Albania

Marsed is a senior macroeconomist expert with more than 9 years of experience in developing and implementing a macroeconomic and fiscal framework that has helped the government to make decisions on fiscal policies. At the CEF he is an independent consultant supporting the development and implementation of the FISR 2 project. He was part of the Macroeconomic Forecasting Department at the Ministry of Finance in Albania from 2009 until 2018. During those years he was the official representative for Albania at the European Commission on the matter of the ‘Report Progress to adhere the EU, for chapter: ‘Economic Criteria’ on recent macro developments and chapter 17: ‘Economic and Monetary Policies’ on Policy Strategy and mid-term objectives. He has worked as a PFM expert in supporting the PFM strategy for Albania, where he has delivered expertise in managing the PFM reform, budget preparation, and execution. Today he is working as an advisor on the economic and financial sustainability of public transport at GIZ Albania.

Useful Materials

• Guidance for the ERP 2023-2025 of the Western Balkans and Turkey
• Costing Guidance (ENG / ALB)
• Costing Guidance – video (ENG / ALB)
• Practical examples to implement Costing Guidance (ENG / ALB)
• Tips and tricks for writing structural reform measures (ENG / ALB)
• Tips and tricks to implementing Costing Guidance  (ENG / ALB)

Practical information

• This event will take place face-to-face in Tirana, Albania
• It will be held in Albanian and English language
• Meals and refreshments will be provided to all participants
• Upon successful completion of this event, you will receive a certificate

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.