The Support to the Implementation of Governance and Management - SIGMA
SIGMA is a joint initiative of OECD and EU, founded in 1992, Worked with 2004 entrants until 2006. Currently works with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Turkey and the “near candidate” countries Albania, Bosnia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo
In June 2008, the EU allowed some of the Neighbouring Countries notably Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Armenia, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia to benefit from this tool which focuses on the institutional environment for economic development. Sigma’s experts, are international civil servants in the OECD. Most are on leave from home administrations in EU countries.
For the Neighbouring Countries, the Commission has allocated €5.9m for three years (2008-2010) renewable, to be spent approximately 50/50 between East and South. Although this looks small compared to regular projects, experience has proved that, given the cost construction of Sigma and the flexibility of its allocation process, this can provide significant value added especially on politically sensitive or strategic reforms.
WORKING METHODS
Sigma assists national reform teams by providing expertise of “peer practitioners”, who may be Sigma staff or public servants borrowed short-term from MS administrations. Sigma provides comparative inputs, not single models, through a flexible “just-in-time” service. Sigma also undertakes peer diagnostic studies.
ROLES
SIGMA - DOMAINS OF INTERVENTION
Sigma works on the horizontal systems of government. These systems ensure that government and public administration work coherently in line with government priorities, under the rule of law, with full accountability and respecting such values as professionalism, impartiality, transparency.
Examples of Sigma work:
Administrative Reform and Civil Service:
Financial Control:
External Audit
Procurement and Concessions:
Policy capacities
Peer Diagnosis