The programme features four activity types that together form a clear roadmap of milestones and learning experiences. This blend includes interactive in-class facilitation, hands-on mobility (in-person), virtual collaboration, and flexible self-paced learning—designed to maximise participants’ growth and impact every step of the way.

Launch Event (Cornerstone): 16-17 September 2025, Podgorica, Montenegro
This event will feature an interactive workshop, leadership development sessions, and networking opportunities.
Serving as the kick-off to the ‘Ireland 4 EU Enlargement’programme, the launch will unite all participants in an inclusive, action-driven environment. Together, they will identify a shared challenge that embodies the core goals of EU accession.
The event will introduce essential learning themes such as critical thinking, challenge framing, and expanding perspectives through engaging, hands-on activities. Participants will also be organised into their technical workstreams, which will act as collaborative working groups throughout the programme.

Technical Workstreams
A series of facilitated sessions combining in-person and virtual formats to support candidates in mastering the technical aspects of EU accession, each session will delve into key questions and challenges tied to specific chapters of the acquis communautaire, equipping participants to confidently navigate the complexities of EU negotiations.
Spanning 4 to 6 sessions from September to December 2025, these workstreams will guide participants in defining practical actions, strategic steps, and policy recommendations essential to fulfilling accession chapter requirements.

Dublin Leading for Impact Mobility Week: 25-27 November 2025, Dublin, Ireland
A three-day programme crafted for the ‘Ireland 4 EU Enlargement’ delegation, the mobility week will combine experiential learning, leadership development, and deep institutional insights, equipping participants with practical knowledge and strategic skills.

• Day 1: Focuses on collaboration as a vital leadership skill, fostering teamwork and cross-institutional cooperation.
• Day 2: Features a site safari with visits to key Irish government departments or agencies, offering an inside look at effective public sector practices.
• Day 3: Dedicated to synthesising key insights and linking learnings directly to EU accession chapters and institutional reform priorities.

Hosted by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), this intensive programme offers interactive workshops, peer exchanges, and on-site visits to Ireland’s leading public institutions. Participants will explore Ireland’s successes in digital transformation, regulatory competitiveness, and justice sector reform, gaining first-hand experience and opportunities to build lasting professional networks across the region.

Leadership Development Workshops
A series of up to three-hour, high-impact learning sessions designed to build the leadership skills critical for successful EU accession and active participation. Delivered through a blended approach—combining virtual and in-person formats—these workshops foster dynamic dialogue, deep engagement, peer learning, and critical self-reflection.
Each session focuses on four core leadership competencies: collaboration, communication, connection, and critical thinking. Participants will keep a reflection log throughout the programme, which plays a key role in measuring impact and guiding their personal development.

Virtual Masterclass: December 2025
This online masterclass (topics TBD) will connect participants from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions through expert talks, peer exchanges, and a collaborative problem-solving lab.
As a vital part of the Ireland 4 EU Enlargement Community of Practice (CoP), these expert-led sessions are designed to deepen collective understanding and expand perspectives on EU accession and public administration reform. Featuring external experts, thought leaders, and practitioners, the masterclasses introduce fresh ideas, innovative strategies, and practical case studies from across Europe and beyond.
Delivered in an interactive, dialogic format, the masterclasses welcome both core CoP members and a broader group of stakeholders, promoting inclusive, flexible engagement and vibrant knowledge exchange.

Curated e-Learning and Self-Directed Learning:
Structured modules aligned with the four streams, delivered through a dedicated online platform. These modules offer high-quality content, practical tools, and a participant reflection journal to foster critical self-reflection and enhance reflexivity skills.

Capstone Event: The Final Milestone
The Capstone marks the powerful conclusion of the ‘Ireland 4 EU Enlargement’ programme with a full-day, results-driven session. Delegations will come together to present their impact evaluations, reflect on programme achievements, and outline actionable steps to advance their EU accession journeys.
To prepare, delegations will participate in two facilitated sessions led by IPA experts, helping them assess progress, identify changes, and map out future priorities.

Following this, each delegation will host a local dissemination event to share key findings, challenges, and lessons learned with national stakeholders. Local accession representatives will be invited to foster alignment with national reform agendas and to promote sustained collaboration beyond the programme’s end.