Review article
Strategic planning and program budgeting: the way to development results at the local and regional level?
Dubravka Jurlina Alibegović
Abstract
Local development takes place on the basis of carefully prepared and implemented local development strategies. Local and regional self-government units need to adopt a new way of strategic planning that unifies budget planning and local unit development strategy with the aim of tracking results by spending budget resources. In developed countries, the strategies of local and regional development are implemented through a participatory approach to planning. This means that all important stakeholders at the local level participate in the development of the strategy. In Croatia, as in most other eastern and western countries South East Europe, there is not enough experience in applying a participatory approach. Theoretical solutions and practical experience of successful states point to the importance of aligning all important elements in order to prepare a successful local development strategy. Contemporary approach to local and regional development strategy is analyzed within the framework of decentralization of public affairs, responsibility for their performance and the way they are financed. Local and regional authorities can best manage local development, and effectiveness is achieved in coordination with the governmental level, which provides a clear framework for strategic planning and decision making, as well as cooperation and partnership with the private and non-governmental sector. In designing local development strategies, access to good governance becomes a key approach to achieving good results and the use of competitive advantages. Although the fiscal theory knows more approaches to budget planning, the program budget is a key precondition for measuring local and regional results. This results in greater efficiency and transparency, as the program budget focuses on efficiency and measurement of results. He gives answers to questions: What do you want to achieve? and How much will it cost to achieve the goal? This type of planning requires strategic planning that includes a clear definition of mission, goals and measures to track the results. Management based on measurement results is increasingly widespread in the public sector, including local and regional levels. Successful monitoring and evaluation of results achieved in one local or regional unit requires a clear presentation of the results in accordance with the set strategic goals.
Keywords
strategic planning; program budget; units of local and regional self-government; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
203384
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2007.
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