SCTM: CALL FOR DIRECT TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN THE PROCESS OF LOCAL PLANNING AND PROGRAM BUDGETING (DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2017)

23. August 2017.

As part of the Exchange 5 Program, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) issued a call for the selection of six (6) local self-governments to which direct technical support for the all-inclusive process of local planning and program budgeting would be provided.

Years of work with the local self-governments to improve the process of local strategic planning and realistic funding priorities continues in the fifth phase of the Exchange Program, with an emphasis on proper and comprehensive implementation of program budgeting as a relatively new modality in the development and implementation of financial plans of the cities and municipalities.

As part of the said call, the SCTM will, in the period from October 2017 to April 2019, provide support to the selected local self-governments in all stages of the budget cycle, in particular:

- Expertise in the further advancement of the process of making decisions on the budget in accordance with the Guidelines for the preparation of the program budget laid down by the Ministry of Finance;

- Support during the preparation of the report on the execution of the budget in accordance with the Guidelines for monitoring and reporting on the impact of the program prescribed by the Ministry of Finance. Support in this area will contribute to adequate assessment of the program performance and will improve the program structure for the next budget cycles.

The SCTM calls on the cities and municipalities to apply for support under this call, bearing in mind the importance of quality and transparent budget planning and execution for the local community, but also for the reform process at all levels of public administration.

The call was issued on August 18 and will run until September 15, 2017. The guidelines for applying and the supporting documents can be downloaded on www.skgo.org.

The Exchange 5 Program is funded by the European Union through IPA 2014, and the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, supported by the SCTM, is responsible for its implementation. A very important role is played by the Ministry of Finance, with regard to the contents of support and themes, which are largely the responsibility of that Ministry.

For any further questions, representatives of the cities and municipalities can contact Mirjana Knežević Panajotu, an advisor for program budgeting with the SCTM, by phone 011 3223 446 or via e-mail mirjana.knezevic@skgo.org.

More information and the call-related documentation are available on www.skgo.org

Source: SCTM and Coordination Body