Lisbon, 8-10 December 2025

ReSPA hosted the joint Governing Board and Budget Committee meeting, strengthening strategic governance, financial oversight, Western Balkans-Easter Partnership intra-regional cooperation and setting the Programme of Work for 2026. The meeting brought together members of the Governing Board and Budget Committee for coordinated decision-making and enhanced institutional alignment.

The joint meeting enabled more transparent discussions, better synchronisation of financial and programmatic planning, and deeper collaboration between ReSPA’s governing structures. This setting allowed members to collectively reflect on financial governance and budget execution, the draft Programme of Work for 2026, institutional priorities for the next year, and the role of sound resource management in delivering impactful regional programmes. Through this integrated approach, members contributed to a more coherent and forward-looking strategic and financial planning cycle for the year ahead.

Across both sessions, documents presented by the Secretariat were endorsed, demonstrating strong confidence in ReSPA’s operations and strategic direction, including: Core Budget Implementation Report (01.01-30.11.2025); Report on National Contributions, Liquidity and Cash Management as well as ensuring continuity and high-quality external financial auditing through an established procedure for the nomination and appointment of an independent auditor for the 2025 financial statements; Report on ReSPA Operations and Programme of Work Implementation (18 September - 21 November 2025); Indicative Programme of Work for 2026, aligned with the Strategic Orientation 2025-2030, and Staff Regulation Amendments, supporting the strengthening of ReSPA’s internal capacities.

Both meetings reaffirmed that capacity building remains central to ReSPA’s mission - not only through regional programmes, but also through the continuous strengthening of ReSPA’s own institutional capacities. Discussions highlighted the importance of professional development, the reinforcement of internal structures required to deliver the 2026 Programme of Work, alignment with the prospective 6th EU Grant, and sustained investment in expertise, quality management, and cross-regional cooperation mechanisms. The Governing Board, also welcomed the inclusion and participation of public servants from Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine, in ReSPA activities during the next three years.

As part of the capacity-building segment in Lisbon, the development course “Digital Transformation in Public Financial Management,” delivered in partnership with the Lisbon School of Economics and Management, provided significant added value for GB and BC members. By exposing senior officials to leading practices in digital governance, data-driven budgeting, and modern public finance management, the course strengthened the analytical and strategic competencies necessary to guide ReSPA’s future work. It equipped members with practical insights into digital tools, fiscal transparency mechanisms, and innovative budgeting approaches -knowledge that will directly support more effective decision-making, stronger oversight, and closer alignment with digital-transformation priorities across the region. Ultimately, this programme further reinforced ReSPA’s commitment to developing a future-ready regional leadership community capable of advancing reforms in an increasingly digital environment.

The meetings - and the accompanying capacity-building programme - underscored the importance of bringing GB and BC members together to jointly steer ReSPA’s strategic and operational priorities. The full endorsement of all presented documents, combined with meaningful exchanges and targeted learning opportunities, has laid a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the next Programme of Work and the new strategic cycle.