1. The PEFA Program – roll-out, impact and future focus
World Bank Fiduciary Forum
March 28, 2008
Frans Ronsholt, PEFA Secretariat

2. Content PEFA background Status on rolling-out
Impact on the Strengthened Approach
Future focus of the PEFA program

3. PEFA background
Objective: Results orientation in development of PFM systems & harmonization of PFM analytical work
Established: in 2001 by WB and six other agencies. Today working in tandem with 25 donor members of OECD-DAC Joint Venture on PFM.
Strategy: the Strengthened Approach to supporting PFM reform
A country-led reform program
A donor-coordinated program of support
A common information pool –
based on the PFM Performance Measurement Framework launched in June 2005

4. PEFA Assessments : roll-out trend
The workflow of about 15 assessments developed in six months and has remained constant.
Whilst 2 donors (WB and EC) have dominated the leading and funding assessments, at least 20 others have participated in various roles.
Governments have initiated self-assessments in a number of cases, though still limited.

5. Geographical distribution

6. Assessment coverage Very good progress – globally
Increasingly used for Sub-National govt
guidelines for SN application issued March 2008
High country coverage in many regions
BUT ……
Few high-income countries assessed
Middle-income countries want models to compare with
Norway - self-assessment close to completion
Few repeat assessments to date
needed to track and document performance changes

7. Ownership and publicity
High buy-in from donor agencies
13 agencies have taken a leading role – 10 others involved in reference groups etc
Most assessments led by WB (52%) or/and EC (34%)
Few assessments are truly government-led and owned
Zambia, Bogota, Norway, Bolivia, Nepal, Maharashtra, Belarus
Some other cases: Substantial government leadership (Ghana) or initial self-assessment (Nicaragua)
Publicity of reports
creates a truly common information pool
linked to government ownership of assessment

8. Quality is key to credibility
Methodology becoming well known by assessors
few methodological mistakes, but still scope for improving extent and transparency of ‘the evidence’ and the analytical summary
Ex-ante and ex-post measures to ensure quality
Government engagement
Full donor collaboration
A well planned and managed process
Adequate resources, quantitative & qualitative
Multi-stakeholder review arrangements for CN and Reports

9. Impact of PEFA assessments
Conclusions from Impact Study 2007
based on 12 country case studies
The workflow of about 15 assessments developed in six months and has remained constant.
Whilst 2 donors (WB and EC) have dominated the leading and funding assessments, at least 20 others have participated in various roles.
Governments have initiated self-assessments in a number of cases, though still limited.

10. Impact factors at country-level
Government ownership and use of the assessment:
Active government engagement in the process (but can be constrained by capacity)
Assessment clearly intended to assist government (i.e. not seen primarily as a donor requirement for aid)
Comprehensive stakeholder involvement from an early stage
Donor coordination for and use of the assessment:
Strength of existing cooperation among donors
Existence of a joint framework for dialogue with government
Can the PEFA experience help the development of joint approaches to analytical work among non-traditional collaborators in other areas?

11. Strategic areas of PEFA focus
Maintain/enhance assessment quality
Tracking of PFM performance changes through repeat assessments
Enhance government engagement in and ownership of the assessments
Improve dissemination to partner governments – how?
Provide training for government officials to substantially participate in or lead assessments – funding!!
Help governments set up reform M&E systems to include PEFA indicators
Timely completion and publication of assessment reports to create true common information pool
Multi-year plans for PFM analytical work in each country with buy-in from all major stakeholders

12. Thank You for Your Attention