- Funding Programme
- Year
- 2022
Making Public Spending More Efficient in Belgium
The European Commission supported spending efficiency in Belgium by helping the Brussels administration build capacity for spending reviews and assisting federal and regional authorities in improving public investment management. It helped Brussels set up investment prioritisation tools and supported the creation of a Public Investment study group under the High Council of Finance, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness and impact of public spending.
Context
The European Commission has supported the Brussels-Capital Region in strengthening public financial management through a Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment and two pilot spending reviews in mobility and social housing. These exercises revealed a need for further capacity building, as the administration still lacks the tools and expertise to conduct spending reviews independently.
On public investment management, the PEFA highlighted the absence of a planning and prioritisation mechanism in Brussels. At the federal level, investment remains low and fragmented. To address this, establishing a Public Investment study group within the High Council for Finance could help improve investment governance across both federal and regional levels.
Support delivered
To address key challenges in spending efficiency and public investment, the project focused on two main pillars:
1) Spending Reviews (Brussels):
Activities included developing a methodology and checklist, training civil servants, promoting exchanges with experienced Member States, and creating communication materials. The aim was to build lasting capacity within the Brussels administration and embed spending reviews into the budget planning cycle.
2) Public Investment Management (Federal & Brussels):
Support included analysis of best practices, setting up a Public Investment study group at federal level within the High Council for Finance, developing evaluation tools, and delivering training. In Brussels, efforts focused on laying the foundation for a structured investment planning and prioritisation mechanism.
Results achieved
In Brussels, key progress was made on spending reviews, including targeted recommendations on research and innovation investments and child allowances. A tailored methodology was developed, staff were trained, and awareness raised. A dedicated unit and steering committee were established, and relevant laws amended to ensure two annual spending reviews are embedded in the budgetary cycle.
In public investment management, TSI supported federal authorities in establishing a study group and drafting its first annual work programme in 2023. In the Brussels-Capital Region, based on project recommendations, a legal basis for public investment management (PIM) was added to the Public Budget Code on 4 April 2024, alongside a proposed framework for a new PIM Unit and process.
More about the project
You can read the documents related to the project here: