Measurement of performance, monitoring of government's priorities discussed at Moldova's government

Representatives of centers of government, experts and practitioners from the Eastern Partnership countries, the Western Balkans, Turkey, the European Union member states and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on October 1–2 met in Chisinau for an exchange of experience on performance measurement, monitoring government priorities and the use of data in decision-making.

The meeting, titled, Centers of Government in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans: Performance Measurement – From Theory to Practice, was hosted by the State Chancellery and organized by the Support Programme for Improving Governance and Management, in cooperation with the Regional School of Public Administration and the regional project, Public Administration Reform in the Eastern Partnership. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Agency for International Cooperation).

The meeting provided a practical framework for exchanging experience among administrations facing similar challenges in monitoring reforms and assessing their results.

Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu emphasized the importance of using performance data to better manage the cabinet’s priorities and make data-driven decisions.

During the two-day meeting, participants discussed the availability and credibility of data, the use of performance indicators to monitor sectoral strategies, the assessment of public institutions’ activities and the connection between the government’s goals, institutional activity and the results achieved. Particular attention was paid to how centers of government can use this information to identify delays and risks at an early stage and intervene before they affect the implementation of reforms.

The experience of Moldova was presented at more sessions of the meeting. Deputy Secretary General of the Government Lilia Dabija referred to the development of the mechanism for assessing the performance of public administration authorities – from developing the methodological framework and indicators to using them in the management and monitoring of government priorities. Secretary of State Rodica Crudu presented how performance is measured in the context of the European integration process.

Representatives of the State Chancellery also presented Moldova’s experience in using data to monitor performance and the implementation of public policy documents, as well as the digital tools developed for this purpose. The discussions also covered the use of digital solutions and artificial intelligence-based tools to process information, monitor progress and support decision-making.

On the second day, participants analyzed the experiences of the member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Union in strengthening the capacity of centers of government, strategic planning and establishing performance indicators for public sector managers. Approaches to monitoring long-term development strategies and assessing policy implementation and the performance of public institutions were also presented.

“For Moldova, this exchange of experience is particularly useful at the current stage, as we are implementing the Roadmap for Public Administration Reform, developing the new Strategy Implementation Programme and preparing for the next public administration assessment. The experiences presented during these two days help us identify what we can improve and which solutions can be adapted to our context,” said Deputy Secretary General of the Government Lilia Dabija.

The participants stressed that performance measurement should not mean more reporting or more indicators, but rather relevant information available at the right time and effectively used in decision-making. Digitalization can make monitoring faster and more transparent, but the effectiveness of the system depends on clear responsibilities, a common methodology and institutions’ capacity to use data.

The meeting in Chisinau highlighted the importance of exchanging experience and fostering cooperation among administrations in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans to improve the way the government priorities and reform outcomes are monitored.