Sector Wide Approach in the Republic of Serbia (SWAp)

Sector Wide Approach in the Republic of Serbia (SWAp)
Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) does not represent new process in the Republic of Serbia. A
set of Governmental activities, aimed at providing support to strategic measures, are closely
related to Sector Wide Approach in planning. Following the European Integration process
and EU accession challenges, Governmental administrative capacities recognize the
importance and value of establishing strong relations between sources of finance (internal or
external), coordinated strategic policies, at all management levels, and indicators for
monitoring results and performance measurement.
SWAp can be described as a process aimed at development of consistent sector
policies and strategies, process which defines the tolls for joint work of Government,
development partners and other relevant stakeholders within particular sector, and
SWAp is a practical approach in planning and management, which strengthen links
between sector policies, budget, activities and results.
The European Commission recognized the use of SWAp in planning of IPA and coordination
of international assistance.
Definitions of a SWAp can be various. The EC defines a SWAp as a process in which ‘’all
significant funding for the sector - whether internal or external –supports a single
policy and expenditure programme under government leadership, with common
approaches across the sector.’’
The Annual Operational Planning (GOP) has proven to be important process for establishing
a foundation for a sector strategic planning. The current general budget reform, in the
Republic of Serbia, is a basis for sector approach, in particular introduction of programme
budget. Programming budget aims that budget decisions are strategically made and directed
from the top, at the central Governmental level, as well as at the line ministries level. This
supports the development of Mid-Term Budget Expenditure Framework.
The General Secretariat and the Serbian European Integration Office (SEIO) are the main
“drivers” of the policy coordination in Serbian public administration. The main reform efforts
are targeted at line ministries budget planning, including short and mid-term sector priorities
(The General Secretariat with the budget financing, SEIO with the IPA and international
assistance programming). SEIO and General Secretariat established close cooperation
related to defining the future role of sector wide approach support to implementation of
common political objectives, such as better usage of external financing and improvement of
the Government policy coordination.
Sector for planning, programming, monitoring and reporting on EU funds and international
assistance in SEIO, leads the NAD process and the priorities for funding are based on
existing government strategic documents, pace of reforms to date, consultation with national
and international partners, capacity to draw down national funds and capacities for priority/
sector to absorb funds. The format of the NAD provides an actual framework for the gradual
introduction of SWAp which the SEIO believes can support a national planning system led by
the General Secretariat of the Government
It is important to conclude that there is no single model or blueprint for introduction of the
sector wide approach. The structure of SWAp and pace of progress are determined by each
individual sector, sector stakeholders, and the political, social and economic environment. In
addition, it is important to accomplish a set of preconditions for successful introduction of
SWAp: focus on sectors where public expenditure is a major feature, where donor

involvement is large enough for coordination intervention, an agreement between
government and donors on strategic direction, a supportive national budget environment
(Ministry of Finance) to allow sector authorities to plan with a degree of budgetary confidence
and where policy incentives are compatible with SWAp objectives.