About this learning event

The Economic Reform Programmes (ERPs) represent a crucial strategic document to the long-term growth and development of the country. They serve as a pivotal framework through which the European Union actively engages with the Western Balkans and Türkiye in various economic-related aspects, forming the foundation for policy dialogue, and aligning with EU standards.

The objective of this self-paced online course is to equip officials at all levels of involvement with the ERP, at the ministry of finance and line ministries, with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills necessary to create better and more coherent ERP. This online course is designed to cover the essential topics in the ERP cycle, starting with the introduction to the ERP, overviewing the macroeconomic framework and fiscal policies, designing structural reforms and to clearly estimate their costs of implementation, how to engage stakeholders, and how to successfully implement the ERP, while looking at good practices from the region.

This self-paced online course will consist of nine modules. It will allow learners to progress through course materials at their preferred speed and time, providing structured content while giving access to pre-recorded lectures, readings, quizzes, and assignments, enabling independent study and the freedom to set their own study schedule. Self-paced courses offer advantages such as flexible learning, personalized study, and catering to various learning styles, but they require self-discipline and motivation from the learners.

By the end of the course, participants will have gained a comprehensive understanding of these key principles and their practical application in creating a good ERP document.

What will you learn

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

• Understand the concepts and significance of the ERP
• Review what is a comprehensive macroeconomic and fiscal analysis
• Understand the role of a sound macroeconomic framework and setting macro indicators and fiscal policy objectives
• Design structural reform measures and address key challenges
• Learn how to conduct costing and resource mobilization of structural reforms
• Identify and develop strategies for effective consultation and involvement of stakeholders
• Get a better understanding of monitoring and ensure accountability for the structural reforms
• Review practices and success stories from different countries

Who should attend

Officials from line ministries and other members of the ERP preparation working groups, that are new to the ERP, or do not have background knowledge of ERP. Also those who want to upskill and regain knowledge on ERP are invited to join.

Faculty

• Marsed Harizi, CEF Expert, PFM Expert in Albania
• Silvana Mojsovska, CEF Expert, Professor at the Institute of Economics in Skopje, North Macedonia
• Janez Šušteršič, CEF Expert, former Minister of Finance of Slovenia
• Saša Jazbec, CEF Expert, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance of Slovenia
• Tijana Stanković, CEF Expert, former Deputy Minister of Finance in Montenegro
• Katja Lautar, Director-General Economic and Fiscal Policy Directorate at the Ministry of Finance of Slovenia

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.