Resumen
Programme budget model is a significant instrument for improving the situation in the public finance system, especially in transition economies. Thus, the process of implementation of reforms and the consolidation of the public sector are essential for the creation of adequate baselines for further sustainable growth and development of transition economies while observing their specificities. Accordingly, the subject of the research is the analysis of the current state of affairs in the process of financial system reforms, that is, public funding with a special focus on the area of budgeting of the higher education in the transition economies of Serbia, Croatia and Hungary. The main objective of the research is determining the performance of the programme budget model in the public sector of the observed transition economies in order to improve public finance management. The research results indicate the adequacy and advantages of using the programme budget model in terms of significant improvement in budgetary performance and results in accordance with the defined programme activities.