Posted by Christian Schiller
The Public Finance Team (headed by Matthias Witt) of the German development agency GTZ (Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit) just published its December 2008 newsletter (Download en-newsletter-public-finance-reform-no14.pdf .) The GTZ newsletters are always stimulating and fun to read as they cover a broad range of public finance topics. The December 2008 issue focuses on results-orientation in public management.
The newsletter points out that success in moving towards more results-orientation in public management does not only depend on appropriate changes in the budgetary system and procedures, but cultural changes may be equally important. The newsletter highlights this by reporting on the work the GTZ is doing in Peru, which was discussed at an expert talk on “Backbone of State Modernization and Public Policy—Performance Based Budgeting in Peru” (organized by GTZ in November 2008). One of the key messages of the meeting was that a change in the mindset of the people in the public administration is a critical factor in moving towards more results-orientation in the public sector in Peru
Another article covers a GTZ project in Zambia to strengthen results-orientation. A GTZ expert gives an interesting account of the efforts in Zambia to improve reporting on performance under the National Development Plan. Each of the 33 chapters of the National Development Plan include key performance indicators. In addition to focusing on the capacity to collect and use performance data, the GTZ project has also focused on improving accountability.
The next newsletter will focus on sustainable financing for development. To subscribe to the newsletter, send an e-mail to public-finance@gtz.de
