As part of ReSPA’s continued support for digital transformation, public sector innovation, and the development of secure, interoperable and citizen-centred public services, the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) is organising a three-day Study Visit to France on Digital Transformation, 1–3 December 2026, Paris, France.

The study visit is designed for public officials from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership who are involved in digital government, digital transformation strategies, interoperability, data governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, public sector innovation and digital public service delivery.

France has developed a comprehensive approach to digital transformation in public administration, combining strong institutional coordination, digital sovereignty, shared digital infrastructure, data governance, innovation and investment in public sector digital skills. Its experience offers valuable opportunities for Western Balkan and Armenian, Moldovan, and Ukrainian administrations to explore practical approaches to digital transformation, strengthen institutional capacities and identify solutions that can be adapted to their national contexts.

The programme aims to facilitate direct exchanges with leading French institutions responsible for digital government and public administration modernisation, supporting participants in understanding governance models, implementation approaches and practical experiences related to digital transformation.

The three-day study visit will combine institutional presentations, discussions with French experts, practical examples and peer exchange.

Participants will:

• Explore France’s digital government architecture and governance model, including the role of the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM) in coordinating digital transformation across government;
• Examine digital sovereignty and interoperability, including the development of sovereign digital products and services through LaSuite numérique;
• Learn about data governance and cloud strategies, including institutional arrangements, shared infrastructure and risk management for digital government projects;
• Discuss personal data protection and digital trust with the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL), including the implications of data protection requirements for digital public services;
• Explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in public administration, including governance arrangements, institutional readiness and responsible AI adoption in government;
• Examine the impact of digital transformation and AI on human resource management and civil service policies, through exchanges with the General Directorate for Administration and the Civil Service (DGAFP);
• Learn from the experience of the Interministerial Directorate for Public Transformation (DITP) in public sector innovation, administrative transformation and citizen-centred service delivery, including the Services Publics+ platform;
• Explore approaches to digital skills development and capacity building for civil servants through the Campus du Numérique initiative;
• Discuss the broader dimensions of digital and AI governance, including international cooperation and emerging policy challenges;
• Gain insights into cybersecurity governance and institutional resilience, including the role of the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), subject to confirmation;
• Identify practical lessons, transferable solutions and opportunities for regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

The programme will include visits and meetings with DINUM, CNIL, DGAFP and DITP, as well as exchanges on digital skills, AI governance and cybersecurity.

The study visit is particularly relevant for representatives of ministries responsible for public administration and digitalization, national digital government agencies, institutions responsible for data governance and cybersecurity, and other public bodies involved in the development and implementation of digital transformation policies and initiatives.