Ten civil servants from the Western Balkans have been selected to attend the prestigious Institut national du service public - INSP programmes in France, thanks to the support of ReSPA and the French Embassies across the region. This initiative stands as a powerful example of how ReSPA continues to connect regional public administrations with European and French expertise, fostering a new generation of reform-minded leaders.

Launched in April 2025, under the guidance of Caroline Socie, French Expert and Advisor to ReSPA, the open call offered Western Balkans civil servants a unique opportunity to participate in INSP’s elite short training programmes. Following a rigorous selection process, ten outstanding candidates were chosen to embark on this transformative learning journey designed to strengthen leadership, negotiation, and crisis management capacities in public administration.

Through this initiative, ReSPA continues to play a pivotal role in connecting the Western Balkans with leading European institutions, enabling civil servants to acquire cutting-edge skills and first-hand experience from France’s top public service experts.

So far, participants have successfully completed two of the three high-level programmes, with the final module – Risks and Crisis Management at the European and International Levels – set to begin in December 2025:

Leadership and Management: Transforming Public Administrations
This programme focuses on empowering managers to become true leaders of change in the public sector. It enhances their interpersonal and operational skills while preparing them to navigate the complexities of socio-economic and technological transformations. Participants learn to lead strategically, manage digital and ecological transitions, and foster collaboration and collective intelligence across teams.

Negotiating within and with the European Union: European Economic Diplomacy
Recognising that the European Union is built on negotiation, this module equips participants with a deep understanding of the EU’s unique policy-making and negotiation processes. The training strengthens their ability to reconcile diverse interests, exercise diplomatic acumen, and navigate the intricate landscape of EU governance and external relations.

Risks and Crisis Management at the European and International Levels
The final programme (starting in December) focuses on developing methods and skills for effective risk prevention, crisis response, and crisis communication. Drawing on best practices and multidisciplinary approaches, it equips participants to make informed and timely decisions under pressure. In today’s complex and interconnected world, marked by societal, environmental, and geopolitical challenges, public-sector professionals must be prepared to act with confidence, coordination, and resilience when faced with crisis situations.

This collaboration with INSP and the French Embassies exemplifies ReSPA’s mission to strengthen administrative capacities, accelerate reforms, and deepen regional integration into the European Administrative Space. By investing in people, ReSPA and its partners are investing in the future – building a region of capable, visionary leaders ready to shape the next chapter of European public administration.