The Governing Board (GB) is ReSPA’s highest decision-making body, composed of representatives from the ministries or equivalent authorities of each ReSPA Member responsible for public administration or European integration.

The Governing Board operates at two levels: Ministerial Level and Senior Official Level. The Board is chaired by a ReSPA Member on a rotating basis for a one-year term. The European Commission participates in Governing Board meetings ex officio, without voting rights. This arrangement ensures that decision-making authority remains fully with the Western Balkan governments, reinforcing ReSPA’s regional ownership.

Responsible for setting ReSPA’s overall operational policy and for adopting its Annual Business Plan, including the programme of work and the budget, the Board meets at least five times per year: once annually at the Ministerial Level and four times annually at the Senior Official Level.

Finally, it operates on a consensus basis. Where consensus cannot be achieved, decisions may be taken by vote, with each ReSPA Member holding one vote. A decision is considered adopted only if all ReSPA Members accept it.

The Governing Board is supported by subsidiary bodies with specific mandates, including:

• Budget Committee (BC)
• Appeal Board (ApB), and
• Advisory Board (AB)

The Governing Board members