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Identifying key obstacles for performance measurement at the sub-national level in Croatia

This paper analyzes the key obstacles for performance measurement at the sub-national government level in Croatia as one of the crucial factors that lead to the improvement of implementation of local and regional policies. In the paper some important prerequisites for successful performance measurement have been analyzed. One is credibility of the sub-national budget. This part of the analysis is based on analysis of several indicators developed in the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability Public Financial Management (PEFA PFM) Performance Measurement Framework. A significant divergence of budgetary outturns from the original approved budget, both on the revenue and expenditure side of the budget, confirms the hypothesis about low credibility of the budget at the sub-national level in Croatia. Second prerequisite for the development of performance indicators and performance measurement at sub-national government level are identified clear objectives and targets of local and regional policies in strategic documents. Therefore, the paper analysis the goals, priorities and measures set in Regional Operational Plans. Conducted analysis proves that defined goals, priorities and measures in Regional Operational Plans cannot be used for performance measurement at sub-national government level. The results of these analysis show that the budget does not incorporate any aspects of strategic planning, which is necessary to achieve local and regional development. Significant differences between the actual and planned expenditure is major obstacle to achieving faster local and regional development.

local and regional development ; local and regional policy ; performance measurement ; Croatia

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