Public Administration Principles Assessment Report published by SIGMA

According to the Public Administration Principles Assessment Report published by SIGMA, Montenegro recorded the best assessment in relation to the Western Balkans for the Indicator-Use of evidence and impact assessment during policy making, and quality and accessibility of laws.

SIGMA, a joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and the OECD, provides expert support to countries in the process of public administration reform and EU accession. As part of this program, the "Principles of Public Administration" were developed, which represent a framework for improving the transparency, accountability and efficiency of public administration in accordance with EU standards. SIGMA's analysis for Montenegro, conducted between February and April 2024, focused on progress in key areas of reform, with the use application of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) standing out.

Montenegro has made significant progress in the application of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) over the past period. According to the findings of the Report, RIA was prepared for 96% of draft laws adopted by the Government in 2023 (43 out of 45 laws), while this percentage was 63% for by-laws. These results indicate a high degree of consistency in the application of the procedure, with Montenegro achieving a significant level of compliance with European practices in this area. In addition to quantitative coverage, the quality of the RIA reports was also recognized, as all samples analyzed included key elements such as problem analysis, definition of objectives, rationale for Government interventions, and identification of key affected groups. A basic qualitative assessment of the relevant impacts was also included in all reports reviewed.

The application of RIA in Montenegro is supported by a strong institutional framework. The Ministry of Finance has a key role in monitoring and controlling the quality of RIA reports, as well as in providing guidelines and methodological support. Manuals and guidelines for RIA are considered to be clear and comprehensive, as confirmed by the SIGMA Survey of Public Servants, where 70% of respondents emphasized the availability and usefulness of these resources. In addition, the Ministry of Finance regularly provides support to local government units in developing their capacity for conducting RIA, which contributes to the spread of good practice at the local level.

Montenegro has also made progress in transparency. All RIA reports are publicly available on the Government's official website, which enables citizens and interested parties to gain insight into decision-making processes. Also, the Ministry of Finance regularly publishes reports on the implementation of RIA, which further strengthens public confidence.