Handjiska-Trendafilova with Minister Byrne: Ireland and ReSPA Unite to Empower Reform Leaders in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova
24 July 2025, ReSPA Premises, Podgorica, Montenegro
ReSPA had the honour of welcoming a high-level Irish delegation led by Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Mr. Thomas Byrne, alongside Daniel Griffin, Minister’s Adviser; Cathal O’Hagan, Deputy Director for Enlargement and Southeast Europe at the Department of Foreign Affairs; and James Hagan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland.
This rich and productive visit marked a turning point in regional cooperation, as the delegation was introduced to the Ireland 4 EU Enlargement Programme—a bold and forward-looking initiative funded by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and jointly implemented by ReSPA and Ireland’s Institute of Public Administration (IPA). The initiative will empower mid-level civil servants from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries to lead the next wave of EU-related reforms.
Director Handjiska-Trendafilova thanked the Minister for the staunch support for the accelerated accession and the contribution to strengthening the administrative capacities in the region: “With Irish partners on board, we are ready for a transformative journey of leadership, learning, and cooperation. This is not just a project – it’s a milestone for ReSPA and for civil servants involved in the accession process in their administration. Strong institutions and governance are crucial for our integration process”.
Minister Byrne reaffirmed Ireland’s steadfast commitment to EU enlargement, underlining the importance of preparing the region’s public administrations for the challenges and opportunities ahead: “Ireland knows firsthand the benefits of EU membership. Through this partnership with ReSPA, we are proud to share our experience and invest in the next generation of public service leaders who will shape their countries’ paths to the EU.”
Spanning three years, the programme will offer an integrated mix of leadership training, technical expertise, and peer collaboration, supporting the EU integration journeys of the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Participants will engage in thematic workstreams focused on:
- Economic Transition, Investment, and Competitiveness
- Digital Transformation of Public Administration
- Justice, Integrity, and the Rule of Law
Leadership will be embedded as a cross-cutting theme, equipping participants with the tools to become future-oriented change agents in their respective administrations.
The first cohort will convene in Podgorica in September 2025 for the programme’s official launch, followed by technical workstreams and a Mobility Week in Dublin in November 2025. The programme will feature leadership workshops, expert masterclasses, peer learning, and on-site visits to Irish institutions. A Community of Practice will enable participants to exchange ideas, tackle shared challenges, and co-create solutions across borders.
The first phase will involve Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine, with the full cohort of 50 civil servants gradually expanding across all eligible countries.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the Irish delegation to gain deeper insights into ReSPA’s impact, areas of expertise, and dynamic programmatic portfolio, which supports public administration reform and EU accession efforts in the region.
