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.

1. Zyra E Kryeministrit-Ured Premiera-Office Of The Prime Ministre
2 Rue André Pascal
75775 Paris Cedex 16
France
mailto:sigmaweb@oecd.org
Tel: +33 (0) 1 45 24 82 00
Fax: +33 (0) 1 45 24 13 05
www.sigmaweb.org
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no
way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the OECD and its
member countries or of beneficiary countries participating in the SIGMA Programme.
This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the
delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the
Kosovo declaration of independence
IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK IN THE KOSOVO*
CONTEXT
PROGRAMME
6 MAY 2014
09:00 -16:30
7 MAY 2014
09:00-13:00

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
The assessment of impacts of potential policy options is a key requirement for capturing the policy and
administrative costs and benefits of new or amended legislation.
This workshop will provide an introduction to the process and the context and drivers for adopting effective
systems of analysis. It will explore the framework; process and planning of the analysis and will also introduce
tools for defining the problem and setting objectives. Participants can plan the development of their concept
papers.

3. 3
AGENDA FOR SIGMA AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER IMPACT
FRAMEWORK IN THE KOSOVO CONTEXT
6 MAY 2014
09:00 – 09:20
Aims of the day and introductions
Rachel Holloway
09:20 – 09:40
Warm up activity
Graham Grey
09:40 – 10:20
Monitoring and evaluating impact
Erik Akse
10:20-10:50
Breakout session: Using analytical processes everyday
Rachel Holloway
10:50 Coffee
11:10 – 11:30 Discussion
11:30 – 12:30 The Kosovo system of concept papers and explanatory notes
Graham Grey
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and coffee
13:30 – 14:30 Breakout session: Applying the scrutiny process to a concept paper
Rachel Holloway
14:30 – 15:45 Breakout session: MCR Concept Paper on Internally Displaced Persons
Erik Akse
15:45 – 16:00 Review of the day and plan for tomorrow
16:00 End of the session

4. 4
DAY TWO 7 MAY 2014
AGENDA FOR SIGMA AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER IMPACT FRAMEWORK
IN THE KOSOVO CONTEXT
7 MAY 2014
09:00 – 09:10
Recap of yesterday and aims of the day
Rachel Holloway, OECD/SIGMA
09:10 – 09:30
Warm up activity
All
09:30 – 10:15
Project planning
Rachel Holloway
10:15 - 11:30
Breakout session: Planning your concept paper
Graham Grey
11:30 Coffee
11:50 – 12:25 Methods of evaluation including fiscal analysis
Erik Akse
12:25– 12:50 Breakout session: discussion of next steps
Graham Grey
12:50 – 13:00 Wrap up
Rachel Holloway
13:00 End of the session