Evaluation of the Council of Europe’s Regional Programmes (original) (raw)
While the CoE has gradually adapted its programme management frameworks, financial management has caused delays in several regional programmes. In order to achieve a satisfactory level of efficiency, regional programmes require increased, yet precisely framed delegation of financial responsibilities. The CoE should create one hub office per geographic area. In these hub offices, programme managers of regional programmes, once trained in financial management, should have authority to approve expenses defined at activity level in the programme's budget, and under a certain amount to be determined on a case-to-case basis by ODG-PROG. Other expenses would continue to be approved, as is the case currently, by the Head of Office, and in the case of human resources-related expenses by ODG-PROG. These offices should receive one additional Finance and Office Manager, ideally financed by the donor, to support these procedures. 1. The countries covered, 2. The topic addressed, the objective(s), 3. The size and nature of the regional component and its activities, 4. The management model of the programme. These constitute key variables for regional programmes, which, when combined, can contribute to its success or difficulties.