Introduction to SIGMA

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Introduction to

SIGMA(Support for Improvement in

Governance and Management)

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A joint initiative funded by the OECD and the EU that helps governments to strengthen their public governance systems and capacities.

We help countries in transition to:• Meet their aspirations for free-market economy• Achieve a stable democracy and the rule of law• Demonstrate their readiness to either join or to create a closer

relationship with the EU through free movement and trade.

As a part of the OECD Directorate for Public Governance and Territorial Development (GOV), it reports to the Public Governance Committee.

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What is SIGMA?

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Our areas of expertise

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Activities and beneficiaries

Our support focuses on five areas: • Civil service and public administration organisation and functioning• Policy making• Public finance and audit• Public procurement• Strategy and reform co-ordination and implementation.

We work with: • Turkey and 7 Western Balkan countries, financed through the

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)• 11 countries of the European Neighbourhood, financed through

the European Neighbourhood (ENI).

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Countries SIGMA works with

European Union

Croatia joined the EUin 2013

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Our work

We provide short-term technical assistance that complements other EU institution building instruments e.g. on:

• The preparation of strategies and reform plans• The drafting and amendment of laws• The planning of larger technical assistance projects• Awareness raising events• Advice to key senior and middle managers• Practitioner-to-practitioner support• Peer review of specific systems or organisations• In the EU accession countries, annual assessments

on governance systems and reforms.

We also write policy papers and studies on public governance.

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Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

Country-focused strategic approach:• Yearly assessments are evidence-based and directly linked to further

assistance according to progress• Focus on strategy and reform co-ordination and policy making

frameworks - helping countries from design to implementation• More bridging across horizontal areas (e.g. has budgeting been carried

out for reforms and their implementation?).

EU accession progress in 2013:• July - Croatia joined EU • October - Negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement

launched with Kosovo*• December - Decision to launch accession negotiations with Serbia • Considerable progress in Montenegro’s accession negotiations.

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European Neighbourhood Instrument

SIGMA works with countries in both the East and South of the region.

In countries with high levels of political instability, SIGMA retains a presence by providing assistance at the technical level.

In other, more stable countries, SIGMA continues to provide support at both the technical and political level.

SIGMA is developing annual work programmes for each country.

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European Neighbourhood South

Examples of our projects in the southern region:

• Algeria Support to the Court of Accounts on its development as an Independent Supreme Audit Institution

• EgyptHarmonisation and simplification of administrative procedures

• JordanReform of the system for the financial control of public funds

• LebanonSupport to the Parliament on improving its administrative capacity

• MoroccoPreparation of a Civil Service Statute and Public Service Charter

• TunisiaReform of the civil service salary system.

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European Neighbourhood EastKey development: In November 2013, Georgia and Moldova initiated Association Agreements with the EU.

Examples of our projects in the eastern region:• Armenia

Public procurement training• Azerbaijan

Preparation of a civil service strategy• Georgia

Amendment of various pieces of legislation (including the Constitution and civil service legislation) following constitutional reforms

• MoldovaDevelopment of the financial inspection function

• UkrainePreparation of a Public Finance Management strategy.

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*Kosovo: This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR

1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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