Unlike common practices in other EU member states and despite being mandated by EU law, Poland still lacks a fully-fledged Independent Fiscal Institution. IFIs are impartial, expert bodies that help improve the transparency, accountability, and quality of fiscal policies, and support sound and sustainable public finances. They became important after the 2008-09 global financial crisis showed the need for better fiscal management. Their role is to use their analyses and advocacy skills to push for long-term stability in fiscal policies.
The report Designing an Independent Fiscal Institution for Poland, published by the World Bank and the Polish Ministry of Finance, supports the government of Poland in designing and implementing an IFI, aligned with international best practices while considering the specificities of the country. The report summarizes the main conclusions and recommendations from the World Bank and Ministry of Finance collaboration started in January 2024.
The project included a diagnostic assessment of the existing fiscal framework and institutions, based on a benchmarking exercise against international best practices and standards of EU IFIs. The recommendations use a conceptual framework that focuses on three key aspects: the Right Form, the Right People, the Right Behaviour.
Sławomir Dudek, the chief economist and president of the Institute of Public Finance was one of the valuable contributors to the Report.
