Public Finance for Development

27/07/2026

In Moldova, we are supporting four groups of communities in developing investment projects in the energy sector. ⚡

During recent field visits, discussions with local public authorities, financial institutions, and other key partners focused on attracting investment for solar power projects and advancing sustainable energy solutions. By strengthening project preparation and connecting communities with financing opportunities, we are helping turn renewable energy ambitions into bankable investment projects.

Read more below 👇

This initiative is implemented in partnership with UNDP Moldova and financed by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic Ministerstvo financií SR through the Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) project. SlovakAid

23/07/2026

Advancing the Energy-CSIRT in North Macedonia

🛡️ Building resilient cybersecurity systems for the energy sector is at the core of the regional Cybersecurity for a Resilient Digital Future project, supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic. The latest stakeholder consultation on establishing an Energy Computer Security Incident Response Team (Energy-CSIRT) in North Macedonia is one example of the project in action.

⚡ The Energy-CSIRT is envisioned as a central hub for strengthening coordination, threat detection and rapid response to cyber incidents across the energy sector, bringing together transmission and distribution system operators, energy producers, the business community and public institutions.

Read more 👇

Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Severnom Macedónsku

22/07/2026

Tax policies for sustainable development

📊 Developing tax policies that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is one of the areas of focus of the Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) project in Moldova, supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.

Through this work, UNDP supports Moldova in strengthening evidence-based tax policies that contribute to sustainable development. A recent technical workshop brought together representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service and the Customs Service to explore EU frameworks on excise duties for to***co and petroleum products. 👇

SlovakAid, Ministerstvo financií SR, UNDP Moldova, Ministerul Finantelor al Republicii Moldova, Serviciul Vamal al Republicii Moldova, Serviciul Fiscal de Stat, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Moldavsku / Slovak Embassy in Moldova

17/07/2026

Within the Public Finance for Development project in Moldova, the Court of Accounts Curtea de Conturi a Republicii Moldova is enhancing its capacity to audit SDG implementation at the local level through practical training, peer learning, and regional cooperation.

✅ This week, its representatives took part in a training focused on strengthening public audit for sustainable local development.

The project is implemented by UNDP Moldova and supported by Ministerstvo financií SR as part of the SlovakAid.

https://www.ccrm.md/ro/reprezentantii-curtii-de-conturi-isi-consolideaza-competentele-in-auditarea-80_94215.html

14/07/2026

What does it take to build more sustainable waste management systems in the Western Balkans?

On World Environment Day, stakeholders from across the region gathered in Žabljak, Montenegro, to explore this question at a regional conference dedicated to sustainable waste management. The discussions remain highly relevant as countries continue advancing the transition towards a circular economy.

Representatives of governments, municipalities, public utility companies, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations exchanged experiences and explored practical approaches to strengthening waste management systems across the Western Balkans.

Key takeaways from the conference included:

♻️ Stronger cooperation across sectors is essential for delivering effective waste management systems.

🏛️ Local governments are central to planning and implementing sustainable waste management solutions.

💰 Adequate financing, modern infrastructure, and institutional support must go hand in hand to accelerate reforms.

🌍 Regional cooperation and international partnerships help countries learn from one another and adapt proven approaches to local contexts.

🔄 A successful transition to a circular economy depends on the active participation of businesses, civil society, and citizens.

The conference was organized as part of the project, implemented by UNDP Montenegro with the support of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic Ministerstvo financií SR. The project helps create the conditions for less waste ending up in landfills, higher recycling rates, and greater citizen participation in building more sustainable and resilient communities.

SlovakAid

09/07/2026

As countries accelerate digital transformation, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It has become a cornerstone of resilient public institutions, critical infrastructure, and economic stability.

🗣 In a new interview, Slovak cybersecurity expert Miroslav Pikus shares insights gained through his work on the joint Slovak–UNDP regional initiative supporting cybersecurity resilience in the Western Balkans and Moldova.

The interview explores:
🔐 Why the energy sector is among the most attractive targets for cyberattacks;
🔐 Why people and expertise remain the true battlefield of cybersecurity;
🔐 What lessons from Slovakia’s experience can help strengthen cyber resilience across the region.

💬 He also highlights the importance of mastering the fundamentals first:

“That means a properly configured firewall, up-to-date protection against malicious software on every device, multi-factor authentication so that a stolen password alone is not enough, and secure, regularly tested backups kept where an attacker cannot reach them. None of this is glamorous, but the majority of successful attacks succeed precisely because one of these basics was missing.”

📖 Read the full interview: https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/2026/07/02/cybersecurity_interview-miroslav-pikus/

ℹ The project is supported by SlovakAid, Ministerstvo financií SR and implemented by UNDP in Europe and Central Asia, UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP Montenegro, UNDP MK, UNDP Albania, UNDP Moldova

A Slovak cybersecurity expert examines how rapidly evolving digitalization is reshaping cybersecurity risks in the Western Balkans and Moldova.

08/07/2026

Through the Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) project, we are pleased to support the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia in strengthening public financial management.

✔ At a recent press conference, Министерство за финансии/Ministria e Financave/Ministry of Finance highlighted several reform areas that overlap with PPFD-supported activities, including the digitalization of tax processes and services, tax policy reforms, improvements in revenue collection, greater transparency, and institutional capacity development.

🔗 Read the Minister of Finance's two-year overview: https://finance.gov.mk/mk-MK/odnosi-so-javnost/novosti/dimitrieska-kocoska-dve-godini-upravuvanje-so-javnite-finansii-izbor-za-disciplina-fiskalna-odgovornost-i-dolgorocni-resenija

🔗 More about the project supported by Ministerstvo financií SR: https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/severne-macedonsko/

SlovakAid, UNDP MK, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Severnom Macedónsku

Димитриеска-Кочоска: Две години управување со јавните финансии – избор за дисциплина, фискална одговорност и долгорочни решенија Новости Односи со јавност Минист...

02/07/2026

UZBEKISTAN ON SLOVAKIA'S PUBLIC FINANCE EXPERIENCE

📊 🤝 During a recent study visit to 🇸🇰, public finance officials from Uzbekistan explored practical approaches to improving budget efficiency, including Slovakia’s fiscal framework, performance-based budgeting, public investment management, spending reviews, and tax impact assessment methodologies.

💬 “Improving budget efficiency is a top priority for Uzbekistan right now. Slovakia’s experience shows that integrating a “Value for Money” mechanism into the budget process and regular spending reviews can actually work. This approach will help our country achieve two important things: save public resources to create fiscal space and drive better outcomes from budget programs,” noted Jahongir Negmatov from the State Budget Policy Department at Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 📷 👇

👉 Other participants also shared their perspectives on the study visit experience: Shohruh Ishankulov reflected on adapting Slovak public finance tools, while Muzaffar Aniyozov highlighted the value of open and practical discussions on public financial management reforms.

🔗 Read more: https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/2026/07/01/slovakia-inspiration-uzbekistan-pfm/

SlovakAid UNDP Uzbekistan Ministerstvo financií SR, O'zbekiston Respublikasi Iqtisodiyot va moliya vazirligi Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Uzbekistane / Посольство Словакии в Узбекистане

01/07/2026

SPENDING REVIEWS IN MOLDOVA CONTINUE WITH SLOVAK SUPPORT

📣 This week, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Moldova officially launched the 2026 spending review cycle, and Slovakia will continue to be part of it.

📊 Spending reviews examine how existing public spending is working, not just how much is allocated. They assess whether programmes are achieving their intended results and use the findings to inform future budget decisions. This approach is becoming increasingly embedded in Moldova’s public finance system.

🤝 Since 2018, Slovakia has been supporting this process by sharing practical experience from its own public finance reforms and working with Moldovan counterparts through the Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) project. Slovak expertise has helped develop the spending review methodology, strengthen analytical capacity, and adapt international experience to the national context.

👥 To help prepare for the new review cycle, 65 representatives from the Ministry of Finance, line ministries and development partners participated in a practical workshop on planning, conducting and reporting spending reviews. Together with Slovak public finance experts, they explored international good practices and worked through practical exercises.

ℹ️ The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Finance in partnership with UNDP and the World Bank under the PPFD project, funded by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.

🔗 https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/moldavsko/

📸 Photo credit: UNDP Moldova

SlovakAid, Ministerstvo financií SR, Ministerul Finantelor al Republicii Moldova, Útvar hodnoty za peniaze, World Bank Group, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Moldavsku / Slovak Embassy in Moldova

26/06/2026

UZBEKISTAN IN SLOVAKIA: EXCHANGING EXPERIENCE ON PUBLIC SPENDING AND BUDGETING

🤝 Slovakia is supporting Uzbekistan in its efforts to build a more efficient public finance system, through a project supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and implemented by UNDP.

📍 This week in Bratislava, representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan met with Slovak counterparts to exchange hands-on experience in public financial management reforms.

📊 The discussions focused on practical tools and approaches, including programme-based budgeting, investment planning, and spending reviews. Participants also explored real-world applications such as price benchmarking and examined case studies on how tax policies are analysed in practice. They also gained insights into how Slovakia has addressed key challenges and strengthened its budgeting system, while building networks for future collaboration and knowledge exchange.

✅ This study visit is a step towards strengthening results-oriented budgeting, where policy decisions are guided not only by allocations, but by measurable outcomes and value for money.

👉 Stay tuned for more insights.

SlovakAid, Ministerstvo financií SR, UNDP Uzbekistan, O'zbekiston Respublikasi Iqtisodiyot va moliya vazirligi, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Uzbekistane / Посольство Словакии в Узбекистане