News

Pi Consulting awarded EU contract Support to the introduction of public internal financial control (PIFC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Published on 26.07.2010.

Pi Consulting is member of Consortium led by PKF (UK) LLP that was awarded the EU project: Support to the introduction of public internal financial control (PIFC) in BiH. Other two members of our Consortium are SIPU (Sweden) and ESV (Sweden). The implementation was initiated in June 2010 and will last for twelve month.

The overall objective of the project is to obtain a reformed, streamlined, harmonized, effective, transparent and service oriented public administration, capable of leading Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) through the Stabilisation and Association Process and EU accession.

The project purpose was to support the BiH Ministry of Finance and Treasury, RS Ministry of Finance, FBiH Ministry of Finance, Brcko District Government, in collaboration with other relevant support programmes, in strengthening the internal control environment of the public administration. Detailed outputs for the project are developed in close consultation with stakeholders during the inception phase.

Pi Consulting awarded contract by the British Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop EU accession e-learning courses

Published on 26.07.2010.

In April 2010, Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to develop e–learning courses with particular focus on EU accession issues, covering the following areas: IPA fund, Community programs and IPA Components III, IV and V – preparation for usage and absorption.

The general aim of this project is to contribute to the creation of an environment that enables civil servants to engage in lifelong learning. Taking into account this important underlying objective, the e-learning courses will also seek to address s number of deficiencies that have been identified within BiH administration in regard to skills sets that are necessary to implement European integration requirements.

The project funds are provided by the British Government through its Strategic Programme Fund: Reuniting Europe as a way of supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in helping in delivery of the reforms that are necessary to meet the EU membership conditions.

Once the courses have been finalised, they will be handed over to the Directorate for European Integration (DEI), which will be responsible for uploading and subsequent management via the DEI website at www.dei.gov.ba

EUSR Parliament for Europe session V „Creating a single economic space and EU accession”

Published on 26.04.2010.

The fifth session in the second cycle of the Parliament for Europe initiative focused on the creation of a single economic space in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the European Union (EU) internal market and EU integration. Speakers drew on extensive experience within EU institutions and BiH government to present a comprehensive view of EU requirements in this area and the current state of implementation in BiH.

All speakers emphasised the practical benefits of the EU common market for citizens and businesses. However, BiH citizens are currently at a double disadvantage. First, the progress of alignment to the requirements of the EU internal market is slow. And, secondly (and of even more concern), BiH itself is not yet a single economic space.

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Links:
Sarajevo-x.com
SEEbiz.net
Bizon.ba

Pi Consulting delivered Logical Framework Approach (LFP) training to staff of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Published on 23.03.2010.

On February 23, 2010, Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to deliver the Logical Framework Approach (LFP) training to staff of the European Union EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The objective of the training was to provide the participants with a sound overview of the Logical Framework Approach (LFP): stakeholders analysis, problem analysis, including scope of cross-cutting issues (gender, governance, environment, etc.), preliminary objective setting, strategy analysis and developing logframe matrix. The training took place in March 2010.

EUSR Parliament for Europe session IV “Energy Sector reform”

Published on 23.03.2010.

The speakers at the fourth session of the second cycle of the EUSR Parliament for Europe initiative focused their presentations on the energy sector reform and its importance in the process of accession to the European Union (EU). The experience of the Republic of Croatia was particularly highlighted.

The parliamentarians showed great interest in the topic. Observations were made on the current state of energy sector reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the related reform initiatives that had already been implemented, and, in particular, on the necessary reforms in the context of meeting the conditions for the country’s accession to the EU.

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EUSR Parliament for Europe session III “Role of Parliament in EU Accession Process – Slovenian experience”

Published on 23.03.2010.

The third session of the second cycle of the EUSR Parliament for Europe initiative, emphasised the transfer of experiences acquired by Slovenia on its way to the European Union (EU). It was opened by the welcoming and introductory speech of Dr. Pavel Gantar, President of the National Assembly of Slovenia and Dr. Valentin Inzko, European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The guest speakers focused their presentations on the role and function of the national parliaments and their committees in fulfilling the conditions during the EU accession process, cooperation between the national parliaments and the European Parliament (EP), the activities of the EP as well as to the experiences and lessons learned from Slovenia in fulfilling the conditions for joining the EU. The emphasis was put, among others, on the methodology and mechanisms of the work of National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia and its committees with regard to the EU issues.

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EU Horizontal support to Coordination with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the Western Balkans and Turkey awarded to our Consortium

Published on 22.01.2010.

Pi Consulting is member of Consortium led by PM International (Ireland) that was awarded EU Regional project Horizontal support to Coordination with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the Western Balkans and Turkey. Other two members of our Consortium are Sofreco (France) and BBA (Belgium). The contract was signed in January 2010 and implementation will begin in February 2010.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans and Turkey through improved coordination of investment policies and support programmes. The project purpose is to ensure that adequate and effective coordination takes place between the European Commission and the International Financial Institutions at policy, technical and operational level contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the beneficiary countries.

This will be complemented by facilitating increased co-ordination with relevant regional programmes and enhancing the involvement of the beneficiaries in the International Financial Institutions and donor co-ordination processes as well as generating improved public awareness of the support provided by the EC, International Financial Institutions and donors to the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries in the case of this particular project are the population and national and local authorities of the countries benefiting from IPA assistance (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) and Turkey).

The project will have 4 Components:

  1. Improve coordination of information exchange, advice, and policy actions;
  2. Improve coordination of investment support and financing initiatives on terms and conditions best suited to the beneficiaries;
  3. Increase involvement of the beneficiaries and others in the International Financial Institutions co-ordination process and
  4. Improve public awareness about the support provided by the European Commission, the International Financial Institutions and other donors to the beneficiaries.

"Parliament for Europe" discussed “Public Administration Reform and Civil Service for European Union” session II

Published on 26.12.2009.

The second session of Phase II of the “Parliament for Europe” project took place on 17 December 2009 in Sarajevo and brought together representatives of State, Entity and Brcko District legislatures to discuss Public Administration Reform and Civil Service for European Union in the context of European integration with reference to Slovenian model.

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“Parliament for Europe 2009/10” session I

Published on 26.11.2009.

“Parliament for Europe” on Stabilisation and Association Agreement Implementation priorities, European Partnership (EP) and reform progress to date took place on 20th November 2009, in Sarajevo. The session brought together representatives of State, Entity and Brcko District legislatures with an agenda dedicated to implementation priorities stemming from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and European Partnership (EP).

To recall, in early 2004, the EU presented its first EP with Bosnia and Herzegovina and since then the BiH's third EP came into force on 18 February 2008. The BiH Council of Ministers has subsequently developed an Action Plan for the implementation of the EP priorities. SAA between the EU and BiH was signed in Luxembourg on 16 June 2008. On the same date, the Council concluded an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and BiH, which provides for the early entry into force of the trade and trade-related provisions of the SAA. The Interim Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2008. Subsequently, the BiH authorities have prepared a detailed Action Plan for implementation of the SAA and the Interim Agreement.

The welcome addresses were delivered by Dr Valentin Inzko, European Union Special Representative in BiH and Dr Nikola Špirić, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH. After the welcome address, HE Mr. Stjepan Mesić, President of the Republic of Croatia addressed the gathering. Dr Pierre Mirel, Director at Directorate-General for Enlargement at the European Commission outlined the progress that has been achieved in implementing both short and medium term European Partnership priorities and the SAA. Dr Mirel also highlighted outstanding key priorities and conditions that BiH needs to address. Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of Delegation of the European Union to BiH presented the key issues highlighted in the European Commission Progress Report for BiH.

The participation of the prominent speakers listed below offered parliamentarians from BiH to learn in detail from the experiences of officials who have already met the reform challenges BiH is now facing: Ms Anna Ibrisagic, Member of the European Parliament, Dr Davor Božinović, State Secretary for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Government of the Republic of Croatia, Ms Nikolina Radivojević, Acting Head of Department for coordination of drafting and monitoring of implementation of Croatia’s National Program for EU Accession and Ms Diana Štrkalj, Head of Department for coordination of adjustment to EU legal system and monitoring of implementation of the SAA – both from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Government of Croatia and Ms Nevenka Savić, Director of BiH Directorate for European Integration Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For more information please visit:
http://www.reci.ba/NaseAktivnosti/parlament_za_evropu/Default.aspx?id=5635&template_id=60&pageIndex=1

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Pi Consulting to deliver training to BiH Directorate for European integration and BiH Senior Programming Officers

Published on 22.10.2009.

Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to deliver training on sound project management issues to staff of the BiH Directorate for European integration (DEI) and BiH Senior Programming Officers (SPOs). The objective of the training is to provide DEI staff and SPOs with technical knowledge and practical skills for the effective implementation of EU projects.

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USAID/SIDA Fostering Interventions for Rapid Market Advancement (FIRMA) in BiH is project awarded to EMG. Pi Consulting is a subcontractor in this important project.

Published on 22.10.2009.

The focus of FIRMA activities is to help SMEs in the three sectors capitalize on their relative comparative advantages and translate these into strong competitive advantages while addressing the identified challenges. The impact of improved competitiveness of firms in targeted sectors will be measured through increased sales, sustainable employment, and exports of firms in the targeted sectors.

While the focus of assistance is to improve results of individual enterprises, the project will also design and implement assistance activities which will have a greater sector-wide impact including clusters, associations and other collaborative arrangements.

EU CORIN II

Published on 30.08.2009.

On the 9th July 2009, implementation of the European Union funded project EU CORIN II officially commenced. The project is a continuation of the first phase of EU CORIN I that ended in April 2009. The project will be implemented over a two-year period, by a Consortium led by PM Group (Ireland). The other members of the consortium are ATC (Austria), EPRD (Poland), Metis (Austria) and Pi Consulting (BiH). The overall objective of the project is to promote and enhance cross-border cooperation and socio- economic integration of border regions through strengthening economic, social, environmental and cultural ties between respective participating countries. This will be achieved through the provision of support to the relevant BiH institutions and organisations in order to successfully participate in projects related to EU programmes implemented under the second component of IPA that promote cross-border and trans-national cooperation.

Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to organize and facilitate sessions of the “Parliament for Europe 2009/10” initiative that was launched in 2008 by the European Union Special Representative in BiH (EUSR)

Published on 11.06.2009.

In close cooperation with the EUSR staff, Pi Consulting will organize, moderate and overall facilitate implementation of seven sessions during the 2009/2010 legislative year. The contract was awarded following the successful completion of a pilot project, in which Pi Consulting also participated.

“Parliament for Europe” sessions are organized for a set target audience of some 30 legislators from the State, entity and Brčko District assemblies, with each session dedicated to a specific topic closely related to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement implementation and European Partnership priorities. Sessions provide opportunities for collegial discussions with prominent MEPs, members of Member State legislatures, and EU figures with extensive experience of the accession process.

Pi Consulting to contribute to the OECD’s Investment Reform Index 2009

Published on 08.06.2009.

Pi Consulting has been awarded a contract to provide independent input to the measurement phase of the OECD Investment Reform Index 2009 in the area of trade policy and facilitation. The Investment Reform Index (IRI) is the flagship publication of the OECD’s Investment Compact for South East Europe, with the overall objective being to monitor, evaluate and prioritise business climate reforms in South-East Europe, with the aim of generating higher levels of direct investment in the ten economies concerned.

The specific objective of the project is to i) independently and rigorously assess investment-related policy settings and reform against international best practice, ii) give guidance for policy reform and development, iii) create a process that enhances the quality of policy development relating to investment and iv) facilitate prioritisation of donor activities supporting investment and growth.

Pi Consulting to deliver training to OSCE

Published on 16.04.2009.

Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to deliver a comprehensive training on EU and EU integration processes to staff of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objective of the training is to provide OSCE staff with a sound review and update of the EU institutions, legislative procedures and decision making, the EU legal system and principles, and key policies of the EU. Additionally the training reflects on the EU's Stabilisation and Association Process, the methodology for harmonisation of national laws with EU legislation, and the role of public administration in the European integration process.

Pi Consulting joins the EUSR's „Parliament for Europe“ outreach initiative

Published on 10. 02. 2009

In the last quarter of 2008, Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to assist the coordination and facilitation of, as well as to report on the “Parliament for Europe” pilot project.

The project is sponsored by the European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUSR) and is an integral part of the EUSR’s overall outreach campaign. The central aim of the project is to facilitate the political process in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a view to building self-sustaining peace and stability, as well as helping the country to move beyond peace implementation towards European integration.
In this phase, the project is envisaged to focus on collegial, retreat-style discussions between parliamentarians from the State, Entity and Brcko District parliamentary assemblies.

The specific objectives of the Parliament for Europe project are to:

  1. Enhance MPs' understanding of the concrete improvements in living conditions and standards of citizens that can be delivered by implementing EU reforms;
  2. Enhance MPs’ motivation to participate in and support the EU integration process;
  3. Enhance the accountability of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the electorate; and
  4. Identify parliamentarians with the potential to serve as effective and reliable partners on the EU agenda in BiH.

Links:
http://www.europa.ba/?akcija=vijesti&akcija2=pregled&jezik=2&ID=332
http://www.reci.ba/usr/106/scr/pregled.php?d_id=218

Pi Consulting to take part in USAID-sponsored „Partnership for Advancing Reforms in the Economy of BiH“

Published on 30.6.2008.

In spring 2008, USAID officially launched its „Partnership for Advancing Reforms in the Economy of BiH“ (PARE) project which will be implemented by Chemonics International. Pi Consulting is a partner in this important project. The overall PARE objective is to achieve economic reforms and build institutional capacity to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards joining the European Union.

PARE will, through the provision of targeted, demand-driven assistance, predominantly focus on: (i) strengthening the regulatory system for the financial services sector (including assistance in the areas of banking supervision, insurance, capital markets, leasing and factoring, deposit insurance, private pension funds and the Central Bank of BiH) (ii) improving the financial administration of public resources (by facilitating translation of public audit findings into action by targeted activities of the Parliamentary Committees, raising awareness and understanding about audit findings by broader public and through introduction of internal audits and controls in the public sector bodies and/or publicly-owned companies), and (iii) improving the enabling environment for private sector investment and growth.

Pi Consulting to deliver refreshment and update training to EUSR staff

Published on 07 Mar 2008

On 14 January, Pi Consulting was awarded a contract to deliver refreshment and update training on EU and EU integration to staff of the office of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objective of the training is to provide EUSR and OHR staff with a sound review and update of the EU institutions, legislative procedures and decision making, the EU legal system and principles, and key policies of the EU. Additionally the training reflects on the EU's Stabilisation and Association Process, the methodology for harmonisation of national laws with EU legislation, and the role of public administration in the European integration process.

EU Support to the BiH Directorate for Economic Planning officially commenced

Published on 26 Sep 2007

On the 3rd September, implementation of the European Commission funded project EU Support to the BiH Directorate for Economic Planning officially commenced. The project is a continuation of the first phase of EU Support to Bosnia and Herzegovina's Economic Policy Planning Unit that ended in March 2007. The project will be implemented over a two-year period, by a Consortium led by PKF (UK), an international grouping of independent, autonomous firms of chartered accountants and business advisers. The other members of the consortium are: "Aide la Decision Economique" - ADE, a consulting company (Belgium) founded in 1990 by a group of leading professional economists from academia, private business, the financial sector and Government, The Institute for Studies and Economic Analysis (Istituto di Studi e Analisi Economica - ISAE), an Italian Government Institute and Pi Consulting. The overarching objective of the project is to contribute to sustainable economic development by strengthening BiH's capacity to generate sound economic policies, within the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina's strategic objective of European integration. The project specifically seeks to ensure long-term development of the DEP/EPRU'S strategic role of Bosnia and Herzegovina's key economic policy planning and advisory institution in the areas of macroeconomics; microeconomics; foreign trade; public finance; social policy, and the labour market.

Pi Consulting online

Published on 09 Aug 2007

Pi Consulting web site is online from August 9th 2007!