PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) was formed in 1994, pursuant to the Oslo accords between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Government of Israel, as a five-year interim body, with limited control over Palestinian Areas A and B. In May 1999, the framework expired without resolution of the final status. As part of the PNA's reforms, the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) was established in 2006. From its establishment SAACB was facing major challenges and limitations in effectiveness and visible impact of its services.

The main purpose of this EU-funded project has been to provide support to the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) to become an independent, efficient and effective external audit institution in line with INTOSAI standards, with support for substantial institutional development and enhanced human resource capacity-building in a broad range of audit fields. The twin objectives of institutional development and capacity-building were designed to be achieved through a number of project activities aimed at enlarging and enhancing SAACB capacities, both vertically and horizontally, and taking into account the immediate and prospective needs of the Bureau, reflecting international professional developments.

Improvements in SAACB effectiveness facilitated by the project over the duration of the contract were noted by the key stakeholders as well as by World Bank-led PEFA assessment.

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