Preparatory meetings with the representatives of the institutions from the state level, the Republic of Srpska, the Federation of BiH and the Brčko District of BiH, who will be involved in the process of draft of the new public administration reform strategy, were held this week in Banja Luka and Sarajevo.

The meetings were organised with the intention to exchange information on the implemented activities regarding preparation of the strategic framework, and to familiarise the members of the workgroups with the roles and responsibilities in this process, and to share information on the manner and dynamics of work that is planned in continuation. A special part of the meeting was dedicated to use of the tools for priority setting for development of the new PAR strategic framework (so called SIGMA questionnaire), developed by the SIGMA / OECD experts, and whose application should support the work of the work group members in drafting the new strategy framework.

Dragan Ćuzulan, public administration reform coordinator, reminded in his introductory remarks that the governments at four administration levels supported the continuation of the public administration reform process, and that in the previous period “the Operations plan for preparation of the Strategic framework for public administration reform in BiH was drafted and agreed with the coordinators, with support of the OECD / SIGMA in its development.”

“The operations plan offers a comprehensive approach to draft of the new Strategy and the Action plan for public administration reform, through inter-governmental work-consultation structures of four administration levels, which will develop, harmonise and establish the final proposal of the Strategic framework of the PAR”, said Ćuzulan.

Also, Ćuzulan added that in the past period the PARCO held several meetings with the coordinators from the levels of the FBiH, the Brčko district of BiH and the Republic of Srpska, as well as with the representatives of the donor community. According to his words, a short term, expert technical assistance was provided in preparation of draft of the Strategic framework of the PAR, and there are currently activities regarding provision of more comprehensive support to the whole process until it is finalised, through cooperation with the British Embassy in BiH, the GIZ SPI and other donors interested in supporting this process.