Implementing public finance reform – 2030 Agenda

Context

Serbia wants to join the European Union (EU). It has also signed the 2030 Agenda including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The basis for fulfilling these two targets is efficient, transparent and responsible public financial management. EU standards and requirements underpin this process for the necessary reforms. The principles of the 2030 Agenda such as ‘Leave no-one behind’ and ‘Shared responsibility’ provide a guide on how reforms should be implemented.

However, in Serbia, civil society lacks the means to shape events and the necessary reforms are not implemented consistently.

Objective

Serbia has realised key reforms for EU accession and the 2030 Agenda. At the same time, actors in civil society can make a better contribution to ensuring that reforms are based on evidence and are implemented constructively.

Approach

The project addresses measures in the Serbian reform programme that cover the administration of public finances. The aim here is to design internal financial controls to be more effective and improve the efficiency of the public finance system.

The project also advises state institutions but, in particular, the Statistical Office and the Public Policy Secretariat on effective and cohesive coordination, implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda.

Non-state actors need to be involved in decision-making and monitoring the 2030 Agenda if the policy is to be shaped in a participatory, transparent and accountable way. For this reason, the project supports ‘SDGs for All’, a platform made up of different stakeholder representatives that facilitates exchange between civil society, business, academia, the media and citizens on the 2030 Agenda.

With its approach, the project also contributes to better coordination of the policy for the intended reforms. The target group is the general population of Serbia.

Last update: March 2023