Public Sector Budget Review and Service Reform in a Cold Economic Climate

Target group
This workshop will be of interest to officials in ministries, executive agencies, regional governments, municipalities and other public sector bodies responsible for preparing or reviewing budgets and/or reviewing different means of public service delivery. It will also be of interest to academics, officials in European and institutions and agencies and international organisations.

Description
Making public sector budget choices, always complex for public authorities, is now particularly challenging due to the crisis in European public finances. Choices made now will often have long term consequences for public service delivery and the stability of the public finances, choices are often linked to changes in how public services are delivered.
This workshop will consider current best practice about what to do and how to do it, using the practical experience of experts, including:
• Reviewing options for public service delivery, including decision making processes different delivery options and balancing fiscal sustainability and other policy challenges
• Preparing public sector budgets and making choices about prioritising public expenditure to make best use of limited resources in difficult times.

Objectives
To give participants a better understanding of:
• The role of budgeting in public financial management
• Public sector budget preparation processes and techniques, such as zero-based budgeting and performance-based budgeting
• Current challenges in preparing public sector budgets at organisational and activity level
• How to review and implement options for public service delivery
• How to conduct budget reviews and service reviews in parallel.

Learning Methodology
The workshop will be based on presentations and case examples, with emphasis on a high level of interactivity. It thus aims to be an excellent platform to exchange experiences in preparing and reviewing budgets and service delivery options.

Programme
The programme will commence on Thursday 20 September at 09.30 hrs and finish on Friday 21 September at 16.30 hrs.

Workshop Venue
The workshop will take place at the University of Maastricht Campus, Avenue de L’Armée/Legerlaan 10, 1040 Brussels (BE).

Working language
The workshop will be conducted in English.

Fee
The participation fee is € 850 and includes documentation, 2 lunches and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Hotel reservations
As EIPA has no arrangements with hotels in Brussels, you are kindly requested to make your own hotel reservation.

Registration
Kindly complete the online registration form before 5 September 2012.  
EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% of the registration fee. For details, please click here.
Your name and address will be part of EIPA's database for our mailing purpose only. If you do not want to be included in our mailing database, please tick the box in the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Lunches
Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. In any case, the participant or his/her administration will receive an invoice for the payment of the registration fee. For cancellations received after the closing date indicated on the registration form we will have to charge an administration fee of € 150 unless a replacement participant is found.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the workshop up to 2 weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel etc.). For EIPA's cancellation policy, please visit our website.