Public Finance for Development

03/06/2026

Regional workshop on strengthening cybersecurity in the energy sector – Day 1

🛡️ Today, we welcomed government representatives, cybersecurity authorities and energy sector experts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia to Slovakia for two days of discussions, knowledge sharing and regional cooperation.

As energy systems ⚡ become increasingly digitalized and interconnected, protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats 🔐 is becoming an essential component of energy security and resilience.

Today's agenda focused on:

🔹 Slovakia's approach to cybersecurity in the energy sector by Národný bezpečnostný úrad
🔹 National experiences, challenges and priorities across participating countries
🔹 Practical measures through interactive working sessions

We look forward to continuing the discussions tomorrow and further exploring opportunities for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing. 😊

🤝 The workshop was organized within the Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) project implemented by UNDP and supported by the Slovak Ministry of Finance.

SlovakAid, Ministerstvo financií SR, UNDP in Europe and Central Asia, UNDP Albania, UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP Moldova, UNDP Montenegro, UNDP MK, Autoriteti Kombëtar për Sigurinë Kibernetike, Moldelectrica,

29/05/2026

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REFORM STARTS WITH KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

🤝 Public institutions learn best when they learn from each other. As part of the PPFD project, representatives of nine partner local governments and the Public Procurement Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina visited Ljubljana to exchange knowledge with Slovenian institutions working on public procurement, legal protection mechanisms, and auditing of public expenditure.

🌱⚖️ The study visit offered valuable insight into how green and gender-responsive procurement is implemented in an EU member state, highlighting the importance of legislation, institutional coordination, procedures, and digital systems in strengthening transparency and efficiency.

💬 As noted by Josip Jakovac from Agencija za javne nabavke: “The exchange with Slovenian institutions provided valuable guidance for gradually adapting European sustainable procurement practices to the legal and institutional system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

🔗 Read more: https://www.undp.org/bosnia-herzegovina/stories/strengthening-sustainable-governance-through-regional-collaboration

ℹ️ The project “Building Efficient and Transparent Local Public Finance System in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BET-PFM)” is supported by Ministerstvo financií SR.

📷 UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina

SlovakAid, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Bosne a Hercegovine / Ambasada Slovačke u BiH

27/05/2026

Slovakia actively supports Montenegro on its path to the EU. 🤝

💬 In her recent interview, 🇸🇰 Ambassador to 🇲🇪 Eva Ponomarenkova shares her views on Montenegro’s international position, progress and challenges in the EU integration process, as well as Slovakia’s support through bilateral cooperation and development initiatives.

She specifically highlighted Slovakia's support in the area of ​​public finance also through the Public and Private Finance for Development project funded by Ministerstvo financií SR.

🔗 Read the full interview: https://standard.co.me/politika/ponomarenkova-za-standard-zavrsna-faza-eu-integracija-trazi-politicku-zrelost-i-snazne-institucije-crna-gora-mora-pokazati-konkretne-rezultate

SlovakAid, UNDP in Europe and Central Asia, UNDP Montenegro, Ministarstvo finansija Crne Gore, Vlada Crne Gore, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Čiernej H**e / Ambasada Slovačke u Crnoj Gori

Dvadeset godina nakon obnove nezavisnosti, Crna Gora je izrasla u međunarodno prepoznatu državu sa jasnim evropskim i evroatlantskim kursom, ocjenjuje ambasadorka Slovačke u Crnoj Gori Eva Ponomarenkova u intervjuu za portal Standard. Ona ističe da su najveći uspjesi zemlje članstvo u NATO-u, ...

26/05/2026

REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR SMARTER AUDITING

🤝 Supreme Audit Institutions from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia gathered in Belgrade for the Strategic Dialogue on Joint Audits and the Sustainable Development Goals, exchanging knowledge and strengthening cooperation for better public oversight.

🌍 Auditing helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently, strengthens trust in institutions, and supports the fight against corruption. That is why the “Smart Finance for Accountable Local Governance” project, supported by Ministerstvo financií SR, focuses on strengthening cooperation, knowledge exchange, and smarter auditing practices across the region.

🔗 https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/regional-project-smart-finance/

SlovakAid, UNDP MK, Државен завод за ревизија/Enti Shtetëror i Revizionit/State Audit Office, UNDP Montenegro, UNDP Serbia, UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP Albania, UNDP Moldova, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Srbsku / Ambasada Slovačke u Srbiji

09/05/2026

SLOVAK EXPERIENCE SUPPORTING NORTH MACEDONIA

🤝 During her visit to Bratislava, North Macedonia’s Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, highlighted key reform priorities including public financial management, digitalisation, and efforts to reduce the grey economy, while underlining the importance of Slovak experience in supporting ongoing reforms.

👉 PPFD has supported North Macedonia’s efforts to establish a sound and transparent public finance management system since 2018. We remain committed to continuing these joint efforts and further strengthening our partnership in the years ahead.

ℹ️ The Public Finance for Development project is supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and implemented by UNDP.

🗞️ Statement by the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia:
https://finance.gov.mk/en-GB/odnosi-so-javnost/novosti/dimitrieska-kocoska-od-bratislava-slovackite-iskustva-znacajni-za-reformite-digitalizacijata-i-borbata-protiv-sivata-ekonomija

📰 The visit was covered by The News Agency of the Slovak Republic: https://www.teraz.sk/ekonomika/kamenicky-s-macedonsku-ponukame-sk/961138-clanok.html

🔗 More about the project: https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/severne-macedonsko/

SlovakAid, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Severnom Macedónsku, Ministerstvo financií SR, Министерство за финансии/Ministria e Financave/Ministry of Finance, UNDP MK, Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in Slovakia

Dimitrieska-Kochoska from Bratislava: Slovakia’s experience central to reforms, digitalization and combating informal economy News Public relations Ministry of finance

07/05/2026

CYBERSECURITY METHODOLOGY FOR WATER UTILITIES IN NORTH MACEDONIA

💧 With water infrastructure becoming increasingly digital, cybersecurity risks are growing. Yesterday, stakeholders from across North Macedonia’s water sector gathered to promote the newly published “Cybersecurity Methodology for Water Utilities in North Macedonia.”

🔐 The methodology provides concrete guidance on identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating cyber risks, improving compliance, and building long-term digital resilience in one of the country’s most critical infrastructure sectors. It is designed to support Water Public Utility Companies in strengthening cyber resilience and aligning with the EU NIS2 Directive.

📘 The publication is available here: https://www.undp.org/north-macedonia/publications/cybersecurity-methodology-water-utilities-north-macedonia

🤝 The methodolgy was developed under the project “Cybersecurity in Water Services Management in North Macedonia”, supported by Ministerstvo financií SR and implemented by UNDP MK.

✅ Through the project, cybersecurity resilience measures have already been introduced in Kavadarci, Gostivar, and Probishtip.

SlovakAid, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Severnom Macedónsku

29/04/2026

BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN UZBEKISTAN

🌱 Horticulture and water management are essential to Uzbekistan’s sustainable development. Strengthening both sectors is key to improving resource efficiency, supporting rural livelihoods, and building resilience to climate change.

📌 With support from Ministerstvo financií SR, UNDP in Europe and Central Asia has launched a new project in the Samarkand, Kashkadarya, and Tashkent regions. It will modernize practices, improve water efficiency, and support farmers, agribusinesses, and local institutions.

💬 “Implemented jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the project will support farmers in adapting to climate challenges, improving productivity, and using water more efficiently, while helping strengthen Uzbekistan’s horticulture sector in the long term,” said Ms. Akiko Fujii, Resident Representative UNDP Uzbekistan.

🔗 Read more: https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/2026/04/29/sdg-horticulture-uzbekistan/

SlovakAid

22/04/2026

CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE THIS EARTH DAY

🌍 On Earth Day, we highlight how PPFD-supported projects are contributing to cleaner energy systems, improved resource efficiency, and stronger climate resilience across our partner countries.

🇧🇦 In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are supporting improvements in industrial energy efficiency, strengthening energy audit systems and fostering partnerships that help reduce energy consumption and promote greener industry practices. ⚡

🇲🇩 In Moldova, the focus is on accelerating the clean energy transition, working with local authorities to develop investment-ready solar energy projects and strengthening cooperation with the private sector. 🌱

🇲🇪 In Montenegro, the ReWaste project is improving waste management and recycling systems, promoting the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for key waste streams, and supporting better waste separation and recycling practices. ♻️

🇷🇸 In Serbia, we are supporting the development of geothermal energy solutions as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, helping public partners prepare investments and build technical capacity.♨️

🇺🇿 In Uzbekistan, we are strengthening energy efficiency in public buildings through the development of a national energy auditor system, capacity building, and practical energy audits that unlock long-term savings. 🏢

🇺🇿 Also in Uzbekistan, we are supporting climate-resilient horticulture and water management, helping modernise irrigation systems, reduce water losses, and strengthen adaptation to climate change in agriculture. 💧

🛡️ Alongside these initiatives, we also support cybersecurity and digital resilience projects that help safeguard critical infrastructure essential for sustainable and climate-resilient development.

➡️ All these projects are part of Public and Private Finance for Development, supported by Ministerstvo financií SR and UNDP in Europe and Central Asia, and contribute to leveraging investments for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SlovakAid, UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP Montenegro, UNDP Moldova, UNDP Serbia, UNDP Uzbekistan, UNDP MK

22/04/2026

EARTH DAY WITH REWASTE IN MONTENEGRO

In Montenegro, improving waste management is essential for protecting the environment and meeting EU standards. Through the ReWaste project, PPFD is supporting changes that go beyond everyday habits:

♻️ introducing solutions for more efficient recycling
🏗️ improving infrastructure and treatment systems
📊 supporting data-driven decisions, including feasibility studies for key facilities

♻️ One example is the ongoing work on the recycling centre at the Livade landfill in Podgorica, which handles around half of the country’s municipal waste.

🌍 On Earth Day, it’s not just about what we throw away — but how systems handle it.

SlovakAid, UNDP Montenegro, Ministerstvo financií SR, Deponija DOO - Podgorica, UNDP in Europe and Central Asia, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Čiernej H**e / Ambasada Slovačke u Crnoj Gori, Glavni grad Podgorica

21/04/2026

FIRST AUDITORS FOR LARGE ENERGY CONSUMERS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

⚡ Bosnia and Herzegovina has reached an important milestone in advancing industrial energy efficiency. The country now has its first certified energy auditors for large energy consumers 👏

👉 This achievement follows the successful completion of the Training Programme for Conducting Energy Audits for Large Energy Consumers, launched by the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry (FMERI) with support from UNDP and the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.

⚡ As the first programme of its kind in the country, it marks a major step forward in building domestic professional capacities in energy efficiency.

✔️ Certificates have been awarded to participants who fulfilled all programme requirements and passed the final evaluation.

📸 Photo credit: UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina

SlovakAid, UNDP in Europe and Central Asia, Ministerstvo financií SR, Vlada Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine, Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Bosne a Hercegovine / Ambasada Slovačke u BiH