Agenda in English for SIGMA's workshop in Pristina on 12 & 13 June for the Office of the Prime Minister on identifying options and estimating impacts in the area of strategy reform

1. Zyra E Kryeministrit-Ured Premiera-Office Of The Prime Ministre
2 Rue André Pascal
75775 Paris Cedex 16
France
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Kosovo declaration of independence.
Identifying options and estimating impacts
PROGRAMME
12 JUNE 2014
09:00 -16:00
13 JUNE 2014
09:00-15:00

2. 2
1. Purpose
Kosovo introduced a system of concept papers in March 2012, an analytical process to assist ministries in
thinking through the development of policy and potential legislation, designed to inform the drafting of
laws and policy decisions. These documents cover key issues such as objectives, policy rationale,
strategic linkages and fiscal impact.
SIGMA’s 2013 assessment and subsequent review of policy making found that the ability within
ministries to plan ahead and properly factor in implementation costs and the capacity to scrutinise draft
proposals within the centre of government is challenging. This has a real impact, resulting in backlogs
due to overburdening and unrealistic planning. The quality of analysis within the concept papers is of
varying quality. The assessment tends to be fairly superficial, often without financial analysis or where it
is undertaken, it is narrowly focused on whether the proposal was affordable within the current
budgetary agreement rather than evaluating it in terms of the systemic impact, e.g. whether the
proposal would impose costs on businesses.
SIGMA is undertaking work with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and selected priority ministries
to:
1) Provide advice on the scrutiny and quality assurance function of the OPM;
2) Assist selected ministries in the development of concept papers – leading them through the analytical
process at all stages of policy development.
This work contributes directly to one of the key priorities identified within Kosovo to achieve policy
development which is characterised by interministerial dialogue with other ministries and non-
governmental stakeholders.
2. Format of the sessions
An important but difficult part of analysis is to identify options that address the problems that
governments wish to solve. Not all issues are resolved by passing new legislation and policy makers
should evaluate whether there is existing legislation that can be amended or built on rather than
developing new legislation.
This workshop will examine the wide range of analytical methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and
the kinds of problems and situations to which each is suited. Methods will include cost-benefit analysis
and the standard cost model.
Participants will have an opportunity to explore different methodologies and apply it to their concept
papers.

3. 3
AGENDA FOR SIGMA AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER IDENTIFYING OPTIONS
AND ESTIMATING IMPACTS
12 JUNE 2014
09:00 – 09:20
Aims of the day and introductions
Peter Vagi
09:20 – 09:40
Warm up activity
Graham Grey
09:40 – 10:20
Identifying options
Erik Akse
10:20 – 10:50
Breakout session: Identifying options on the subjects of the ministerial CPs
Erik Akse
10:50 Coffee
11:10 – 11:30
Introductory remarks about Fiscal Impact Assessment requirements in Kosovo
Representative of MoF
11:30 – 13:00 Analysis of impacts
Roman Ladus
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and coffee
14:00 – 15:45 Breakout session: Analysis of impacts – the Concept Paper on IDPs (MCR)
Roman Ladus
15:45 – 16:00 Review of the day and plan for tomorrow
16:00 End of the session

4. 4
DAY TWO, 13 JUNE 2014
AGENDA FOR SIGMA AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER IDENTIFYING OPTIONS
AND ESTIMATING IMPACTS
13 JUNE 2014
09:00 – 09:10
Recap of yesterday and aims of the day
Roman Ladus
09:10 – 09:30
Warm up activity
All
09:30 – 11:00
Breakout session: Analysis of impacts – the Concept Paper on Persons with
disabilities (MLSW) and the Concept Paper on Resolving conflict of laws (MoJ)
Roman Ladus
11:00 Coffee
11:20 – 12:00
Implementability and enforcement (RIA) linked to principles of good regulation
Graham Grey
12:00 – 13:20
Breakout session: Implementability and enforcement issues – the UK Smoking Ban
case
Graham Grey
13:20 – 14:20 Lunch and Coffee
14:20 – 14:40
Lessons learned
Representative of OPM
14:40 – 15:00
Wrap up and next steps
Peter Vagi
15:00 End of the session