PAR Monitoring and Coordination: What space for civil society to influence?

The Public Administration Reform Strategy in the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter PAR Strategy/ Strategy) was adopted in April 2021, covering the period from 2021 to 2030. During the three years of its implementation, a steady course of reform was set, although with varying results in the different reform areas. The Strategy introduced a three-tier coordination and management structure to improve efficiency, distinguishing between administrative and political levels. The first level, focused on expert and operational tasks, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government (MPALSG). The Inter-Ministerial Project Group (IMPG) represents the second level. It is chaired by the Secretary of the MPALSG, and it includes coordinators of thematic areas of the Strategy. Other members of the IMPG include relevant representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs). The third, political level is the PAR Council, formed by the Government as the central strategic body for PAR. The Council represents the common political level of coordination of PAR and public finance reform. It is chaired by the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, with the deputy being the Minister of Finance. Members are appointed among line ministers and representatives of other state authorities, representatives of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina) and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).