Support for Improvement in Governance and Management (SIGMA) is a joint initiative of the European Commission and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development mainly funded by the European Union. It is a demand-driven instrument, which helps to strengthen the foundations for improved public governance, and hence support socio-economic development. SIGMA provides assistance in six priority areas: strategic framework of public administration reform; policy development and co-ordination; public service and human resource management; accountability; service delivery; public financial management, external audit and public procurement.

Projects can be initiated by partners, the EC or SIGMA as a response to the specific needs and priorities of the country. The one absolute requirement for each project is that it reflects the reform priorities of the Sigma Programme and supports the achievement of EC institution-building objectives.

SIGMA supports to improve governance and management by:

• Giving advice on reforms, design and implementation of strategic development plans;

• Conducting peer reviews/assistance;

• Analysing and assessing the legal frameworks, methodologies, systems and institutions;

• Making methodological, technical and strategic input to optimise Commission assistance;

• Supporting to networks;

• Drafting handbooks and other reference materials;

• Training.

Armenia has been a beneficiary of SIGMA since 2008 and may expect assistance in all priority areas. The following projects have been implemented since then:

1. Support to Accounting Chamber in implementing Strategic Development Plan, 2011 - 2014

2. Support to the Ministry of Finance on Implementation of the Public Internal Financial Control Policy Paper, 2011 – 2014

3. Assessment of the Ethics Commission for High-Ranking Public Officials, 2011 – 2014

4. Armenia - Supporting Public Administration Reform and Civil Service Reform, 2011 – 2014

5. Peer Review of the public procurement system, 2011 – 2014

6. Support for public procurement reform in 2012/2013, 2011 – 2014

7. Assistance to Public Procurement and Public-Private Partnership reform in 2011/2012, 2011 – 2014

8. Support to drafting a Strategic Development Plan for the Chamber of Control, 2008 – 2010

9. Support in drafting and implementing Public Internal Financial Control Policy paper, 2008 – 2010

10. Public Internal Financial Control seminar for high officials, 2008 – 2010

11. Assistance in gap-analysis Public Internal Financial Control, 2008 – 2010

12. Support in improving civil service and the legal administrative framework, 2008 – 2010

13. Assessing the Civil Service system, 2008 – 2010

14. Support to public procurement, 2008 – 2010

15. Support for public procurement and concessions/ Public-Private Partnerships reform in 2009/2010, 2008 – 2010

16. Support to facilitate simplification of business licenses, 2008 – 2010

Current SIGMA assistance in Armenia includes:

• Support to the Civil Service Council on reforming the civil service system.

• Support to the Ethics Commission for High-Ranking Public Officials on preparing the Code of Conduct for high-level officials.

• Support to the Ministry of Finance with the preparation of a new public procurement law.

The EU Programme Administration Division (PAO) is responsible for overall coordination of SIGMA support. SIGMA submits the country annual action plan to PAO and EUD for their review and approval. Project Definition Sheet prepared by SIGMA before each mission should be approved by PAO. PAO is also responsible for monitoring of on-going SIGMA projects as well as for evaluation of SIGMA projects results. Beneficiaries of SIGMA project should submit progress reports as well as the final report after project completion to PAO. Coordination of the operations of SIGMA and other instruments allows PAO to prevent repetitions and overlaps.

More information:

SIGMA website

SIGMA in Armenia