"In the new circumstances caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, the CEF remained accessible to all of us and organized learning events using the Webex platform via the CEF Online Learning Campus. This year I attended the following webinars on the CEF Online Learning Campus:

• Knowledge Sharing on Costing of Structural Reforms, Montenegro, September 29 – November 20, 2020
• Coordination in the Preparation of the ERP and Costing of Structural Reforms, November 16–30, 2020

I also participated in the first meeting of the Networking of Regional Experts (NRE) in Structural Reforms.

This year, we first focused on the identification of potential obstacles in the ERP drafting at the first course session held on 29 September with professors Mrak and Katnic, who also addressed the novelty of the drafting guidance. Mojmir Mrak and Milorad Katnic as well as all the other CEF facilitators very well illustrated the concrete steps relevant in the ERP drafting process and also talked about other aspects that can be applied in our everyday work. The experts covered all the aspects of costing and financing structural reforms. Improving costing skills and communication between officials will lead to better and more adequate integration of structural reforms into the state budget, which means that the more precise the costs are, the better the planning process is. The subject of other sessions was the costing of concrete structural reforms, 21 of them being a part of the first draft of ERP Chapter 5. 

The course on Coordination in the Preparation of the ERP and Costing of Structural Reforms was highly interactive and useful. My colleague Branko Krvavac and I delivered a presentation about the ERP drafting dynamics, including a dynamic diagram. As also colleagues from Serbia took part in this learning event, it was a great opportunity for them to see and hear about the ERP practices in other countries.

Membership in the Network of Regional Experts in Structural Reforms gives an opportunity not only to meet colleagues from the region but also to exchange good practices in the ERP preparation process. The network also provides support to tackle the potential challenges that are related to the implementation of structural reforms and are common throughout the region. This can be especially helpful in COVID-19 times. Our first meeting was interactive and fun. The main topic was the new ERP drafting process and the challenges that we have been facing this year in extraordinary circumstances.

I also found all the presentations and comments related to the ERP coordination and dynamic diagram, which we presented at the Coordination in the Preparation of the ERP and Costing of Structural Reforms webinar, very useful. Lecturer Saša Jazbec talked about the link between structural reforms and coordination. This session was valuable and applicable for all webinar participants who are involved in the ERP drafting process. In addition, I would like to emphasize the importance of practical work during the sessions, which was comprised of very well-designed exercises and tasks. It was a real pleasure to be a part of this group.

I am a member of the working group for the preparation of Montenegrin ERP for three years. After attending the webinars, I have been applying the acquired knowledge in the preparation process, given my role as the secretary of the working group and a person engaged in the preparation of Chapter 5 – Structural reforms.

The publication about costing guidance "Methodological Guidance for Costing of Structural Reforms", published by the CEF, has been a very helpful source. In the ERP drafting process, we are also using OECD manuals on monitoring, diagnostics, and prioritization of structural reforms. In line with this, I would also like to emphasize the importance of the CEF Line Ministries Portal, which supports knowledge and experience exchange in public financial management among officials working at ministries of finance and line ministries in South East Europe.

These learning events motivated me to continue learning new things and professionally improve myself. I have gained new knowledge that is applicable in my everyday duties and has encouraged me to create and share new ideas as a way to improve resolving tasks and challenges. And I also consider gaining many new friends and colleagues from all over the region as a personal success.

Bearing in mind that the preparation of the ERP is teamwork, every positive outcome, as well as the achievement of each of our common goals, is a result of mutual commitment and work. I certainly hope that I have been able to contribute to our mutual success."