Newsletter #6

January-April 2026

Highlights

Learning, Networking and Capacity Building
Across Thematic Areas

Our team continued to design and deliver initiatives and events in close partnership with the European Commission and EU member states, engaging a wide range of institutions from Italy, France, Czech Republic, Croatia, Belgium, and beyond, strengthening our collaboration with trusted partners such as the SIGMA Programme, GIZ, the Croatian National School of Public Administration, the Belgian Federal Public Service (BOSA), as well as key regional intergovernmental organizations.

The European Integration and Accession Negotiations thematic area continued to strengthen the capacities of public servants involved in the EU accession process, enhancing their skills and knowledge in acquis alignment, negotiation processes, and the application of modern, digital and AI-supported tools. Through targeted peer learning and cooperation with EU institutions, we contributed to more efficient and coordinated progress towards EU membership across the Western Balkans:

Strengthening Acquis Translation through Peer Learning with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Translation

The workshop “Workflows and Tools in the Translation of the Acquis,” co-created with the Directorate-General for Translation, brought together representatives from Western Balkan administrations at the ReSPA office in January to explore digital-first and AI-supported approaches to acquis translation and publication.

The session provided a strong platform for peer exchange and expert input. A “tour de table” allowed participants to share the current state of play in their respective administrations, highlighting progress, challenges, and priorities - laying the groundwork for deeper regional cooperation and joint learning on modern translation practices.

Read more

Charting the Course to the EU Single Market: ReSPA and Europe+ Bring Western Balkans Leaders Together in Tirana

Held in April, the event served as a strategic platform for the region’s most senior public officials and experts. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving European landscape, the Executive Training Programme on Regional Cooperation and Gradual Integration into the EU Single Market, held in April, offered a key space to translate high-level policy ambitions into concrete regional action. The programme strengthened shared understanding, advanced practical cooperation, and supported leaders in aligning reforms with the requirements and opportunities of the EU Single Market.

Read more

The Policy Management, Better Regulation and Simplification thematic area continued to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, enhance parliamentary scrutiny, and improve regional coordination in line with EU standards. Through high-level conferences, global policy engagement, and targeted capacity-building initiatives, we continue supporting more effective governance and stronger integrity systems:

ReSPA, SIGMA, GIZ and Czech Partners Convene Conference in Prague to Strengthen Parliamentary Scrutiny and Evidence-Based Law-Making

A two-day conference held at the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic at the beginning of April, jointly organised by SIGMA, ReSPA and GIZ in close cooperation with the Czech Chamber of Deputies and with the support of the European Commission’s DG ENEST, brought together senior officials and experts to advance evidence-based law-making and parliamentary oversight. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between governments and parliaments, and on improving the use of tools such as regulatory impact assessment, public consultation, post-legislative scrutiny, and artificial intelligence in legislative processes.

Read more

Western Balkans Take the Spotlight at the 2026 OECD GACIF Forum

Held in March in Paris, the OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum 2026 highlighted a clear shift: integrity is no longer seen only as a safeguard, but as a driver of performance, resilience, and innovation.

Bringing together leaders from across sectors, the Forum explored how strong enforcement, smart governance, and data-driven integrity systems can go beyond preventing corruption - they can improve decision-making, build trust, and support sustainable economic growth.

For the first time, the Western Balkans were placed firmly on the global integrity map, showcasing a region that is not only reforming but delivering results. Under the theme “From Public Sector Integrity to Business Sector Sustainability,” regional representatives demonstrated how integrity reforms are strengthening public administrations and enhancing economic competitiveness.

Read more

Strengthening Migration Statistics Harmonization Across the Western Balkans

Public administration representatives from the Western Balkans gathered in Podgorica in April for a Regional Workshop on Migration Statistics Harmonization among MARRI Participants, aimed at enhancing the quality, comparability, and alignment of migration data with EU standards. Through this initiative, we supported the capacity building and technical readiness of statistics offices across the region, contributing directly to alignment with key areas of the European Union acquis, particularly Chapters 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) and 18 (Statistics).

Read more

The Human Resources Management and Professional Development thematic area continued to modernise public administration practices and build future-ready capacities by strengthening leadership skills, advancing learning and development systems, and enhancing the performance of public service training institutions. Through practical, peer-driven initiatives and strategic partnerships, we continue to support more collaborative, resilient, and skills-oriented administrations across the regions:

From Silos to Solutions: Western Balkans Leaders Co-Create the Future of Public Administration 

The first and second workshops in the Beyond Classroom Learning (BCL) series, “Operational Leadership Culture in Action,” were held in March and April in Zagreb, bringing together senior training managers and representatives of public administration training institutions from across the Western Balkans.

Organised jointly with the National School for Public Administration of Croatia, in partnership with Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung Kehl, the workshop explored how leadership can be developed through real workplace situations rather than traditional classroom training. The focus was clear: to shift leadership from a theoretical concept to a practical capability embedded in everyday administrative work across public institutions.

Read more

ReSPA & BOSA Empower Training Leaders to Shape the Future of Learning & Development

In collaboration with the Belgian Federal Public Service for Policy and Support (BOSA), we delivered a two-day intensive programme in Podgorica in mid-April, titled “Effective Learning & Development for Training Managers.” The event brought together training managers and public administration professionals from the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood, Croatia, and Slovenia.

The programme focused on strengthening institutional capacity to design and deliver modern, high-impact learning solutions that respond to real administrative needs. Participants explored key aspects of contemporary training management, including needs assessment, curriculum design, the use of digital and AI tools, and innovative approaches to evaluating training effectiveness - equipping institutions to make learning more strategic, data-driven, and impactful.

Read more

Strengthening Training Institutions Across the Region: HRMD Working Group Advances Cooperation

Senior representatives of public service training institutions, public administrations, and international partners gathered in Skopje in March for the regional meeting “Building Capacities of Training Institutions for Public Servants.” The event was jointly organised by ReSPA, the Ministry of Public Administration of North Macedonia, the French Embassy in Skopje, and the Centre for Change Management.

The meeting served as a platform for peer exchange on strengthening public service training systems and building more professional, resilient, and future-oriented administrations across the region. The meeting came at an important moment for North Macedonia, following the adoption of the new Law on Professional Development and Training of Administrative Servants, which foresees the establishment of a national Academy for Professional Development and Training of Administrative Servants within the Ministry of Public Administration. Participants also explored how training institutions can better respond to evolving administrative needs, ensure quality and sustainability, and play a stronger role in supporting public administration reform and EU integration processes.      

Read more

Within the Digital Transition thematic area, our team has driven digital transformation in public administration by advancing open government practices, strengthening the use of data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, trust services, and digital technologies, and promoting more transparent, inclusive, and citizen-oriented services. Through regional dialogue and practical cooperation, these efforts have supported administrations in leveraging digital tools, cyber resilience, trust frameworks, and innovation to improve service quality, accountability, and public trust across the Western Balkans.

Shaping Open and Digital Public Administration: Advancing Regional Cooperation and Innovation

We brought together representatives from the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood for the Digital Governance and Open Government Forum and the Digital Transformation Working Group Meeting, advancing regional dialogue and practical cooperation at the intersection of digital transformation, transparency, and open government.

The two-day Forum held in March in Belgrade served as a policy-to-practice platform to strengthen the link between open government commitments and digital reform agendas, and to promote the use of data, digital tools, and artificial intelligence to enhance transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and public integrity. Policymakers, practitioners, Open Government Partnership contact points, Digital Transformation Working Group members, and international partners exchanged experiences and explored shared priorities for building more open, inclusive, and innovative public administrations.

Read more

From Readiness to Action: Strengthening AI Governance and Digital Skills in Public Administration

In March, jointly with the Croatian National School of Public Administration (NSPA), the Institute of Public Administration of Bulgaria (IPA) and UNESCO, we hosted in Zagreb a training “AI and Digital Skills in Public Administration and a Pilot Assessment”, reflecting the growing demand from administrations in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia for practical, reform-oriented support in integrating artificial intelligence into public sector governance. The training translated learning into tangible outcomes, including completing pilot AI self-assessments, identifying institutional and regional skills gaps, and drafting AI introduction and capacity-building action plans.            

Read more

Boosting Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans – Public Institutions Lead the Way

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen digital resilience, ReSPA co-organised a regional training on cybersecurity standards with DCAF and the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre in Podgorica, bringing together public administration representatives to enhance cyber hygiene, institutional capacity, and trust in secure digital public services across the Western Balkans. The two-day programme focused on enhancing cybersecurity capacities within public administration through practical learning, exchange of experiences, and collaborative approaches to cyber hygiene and institutional preparedness. Participants explored key aspects of cybersecurity training design, including identifying target groups, defining institutional responsibilities, and implementing effective awareness and capacity-building measures.

Read more

How to Turn Artificial Intelligence into a Strategic Advantage for Montenegro

ReSPA representative participated in a panel organised by the Institute for Standardization of Montenegro in Podgorica, highlighting the importance of ISO/IEC 42001 and governance frameworks for the responsible and scalable use of AI in public administration, in line with ReSPA’s ongoing activities supporting digital transformation, AI governance, and capacity building in the Western Balkans.

The Regional Quality Management Centre (RQMC) within ReSPA continued to advance quality management practices across the Western Balkans by promoting the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), supporting institutional performance excellence, and introducing innovative approaches, including AI-powered approaches. Through certification processes, capacity-building activities, and regional knowledge exchange, we continue strengthening a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and citizen-oriented governance in public administration.

ReSPA Brings AI-Powered CAF to the European Stage in Maastricht

The event was an excellent opportunity for ReSPA to present an innovative AI tool in the CAF Process implementation. The presentation “AI Use in the CAF Process in ReSPA and Montenegro (and Lessons Learned for the CAF Update)” showcases how artificial intelligence can support and enhance CAF implementation. Drawing on the experience of the Regional Quality Management Centre, more than 20 institutions engaged in CAF implementation, and 16 CAF labels awarded across the Western Balkans, he introduced the concept of a CAF e-platform powered by AI tools, highlighting a practical step forward in modernising public administration quality frameworks.                                           

Read more

ReSPA at CAF Info Day in Montenegro: Strengthening Citizen-Oriented and Efficient Public Administration

At the CAF Info Day held in March in Podgorica, titled “CAF for Citizen-Oriented Public Administration and Efficient Governance,” representatives of public institutions and partners gathered to promote quality management and continuous performance improvement across public administration. Our colleague Slaven Bukarica highlighted the key role of the Regional Quality Management Centre (RQMC) in supporting the introduction of CAF in Montenegro. As a result of this support, the Ministry became the first ministry in the country to be certified as an Effective CAF User, marking a significant milestone in strengthening quality management practices and advancing more citizen-focused governance.  

Read more

Gjorche Petrov Sets a Regional Benchmark in Citizen-Oriented Quality 

In March, Director Handjiska Trendafilova presented the CAF “Effective User” Certificate to the Mayor of the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov, Aleksandar Stojkovski, in recognition of the municipality’s strong and sustained commitment to excellence in public administration.

The certification process, conducted by ReSPA’s Regional Quality Management Centre, confirmed the municipality’s institutional maturity, continuity, and strategic focus on continuous improvement. By earning this recognition, Gjorche Petrov joins a growing community of public institutions across the region that are turning quality management standards into tangible results and better services for citizens.

Read more

HRMS Serbia Launches Second CAF Implementation Cycle to Strengthen Quality and Performance Culture 

The Human Resource Management Service of the Government of the Republic of Serbia (HRMS) launched the second cycle of CAF implementation in February, marking the first two of three structured workshops in this new phase. The process is guided by the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government (MPASLG) and ReSPA.

The second CAF cycle emphasises deepening the model's application, strengthening a culture of quality, and advancing performance management across public administration. A particular focus is given to reviewing achieved results, assessing implemented measures, and defining new, targeted priorities for continuous improvement—supporting a more systematic and results-driven approach to public service delivery.

Read more

Projects with EU Partners

The ReSPA team continued to strengthen strategic partnerships with EU institutions, connecting public administrations across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood with their counterparts in the European Union. Through joint projects with EU partners, we enhanced the skills and capacities of civil servants while building lasting institutional networks that support regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and progress towards European integration.

For the third time, our team has designed and started implementing a comprehensive programme in partnership with the Italian National School of Administration (SNA) and the Department of Public Administration, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Building on two successful cycles that engaged more than 100 public servants, the programme combines intensive training, study visits, and peer exchanges with leading Italian public administration institutions.

The third cycle, “Towards a Shared European Administrative Space: Italian Expertise, Regionally-Owned Solutions,” continues to strengthen professional networks, enhance administrative capacities, and support Western Balkan administrations in aligning with EU standards and practices. Launched in Tirana, in March, the 3^rd cycle of the Programme began with the implementation of the Bari Module, a two-day intensive programme focused on Local-Level Administration and EU Funds Project Management:

Italian Expertise and Regional Ownership Drive Forward Public Administration Reform in Bari

Hosted in April at the headquarters of Acquedotto Pugliese in the Puglia Region, the Bari module provided hands-on learning, expert input, and peer exchange, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening administrative capacities and advancing a common European Administrative Space. The programme continues with two additional streams in Rome and Caserta on Leadership Development and Digital Transformation, offering senior public managers and practitioners in-depth exposure to Italy’s experience in modern governance and digital administration.   

Read more

Led by Ireland’s Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in partnership with ReSPA and funded by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA), the 3-year programme empowers senior public leaders from the EU accession aspirants as they progress towards EU membership, fostering cross-border collaboration and supporting participants in aligning national reforms with EU standards. The first cohort brought together 48 mid-level public servants from Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine. Participants engaged across three core technical streams: Economic Transition, Investment, and Competitiveness, Digital Transformation of Public Administration, Justice, Integrity, and Rule of Law, while Leadership development served as a cross-cutting pillar throughout all activities, encouraging adaptive thinking, peer exchange, and values-driven action. As a pilot phase, it focused on testing and refining the Programme’s high-impact learning model, built around a dynamic learning rhythm: Ask Big → Think Together → Work Technically → Reflect Systemically → Lead Boldly → Act Collectively → Expand Continuity.

First Cohort of the Ireland for EU Enlargement Programme Successfully Concluded

The final event of the first cohort brought together 48 mid-level public servants from Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine in February to strengthen leadership capacity and institutional readiness for EU integration across participating administrations.

Rooted in the understanding that EU accession is not only a technical and legal process, but also a profound leadership challenge, the programme equipped participants with the skills, perspectives, and networks needed to actively contribute to national reform agendas and drive meaningful change within their institutions

The Second Cohort continues to empower senior public leaders from Western Balkan and Eastern Neighbourhood Institutions as they progress towards EU membership, fostering cross-border collaboration and supporting participants in aligning national reforms with EU standards. Its implementation starts in June 2026 for Western Balkans administrations, Ukraine and Moldova, and focuses on three technical streams: Economic Transition, Investment, and Competitiveness, Digital Transformation of Public Administration and Justice, Integrity, and Rule of Law, while Leadership will continue to be a cross-cutting issue.

Read more

Cooperation with French partners has significantly expanded and deepened since the signing of the Declaration of Intent with the French Ministry of Public Administration in November 2023, which has been further reinforced since November 2024 with the secondment of Caroline Socié as a French advisor within the ReSPA team. Since then, the participation of French experts in ReSPA activities has steadily increased, alongside enhanced cooperation with a wide range of French public institutions.

In 2025, as a pilot initiative which continues this year as well, a joint initiative to support access to INSP short training programmes promotes the participation of civil servants in short-term training courses delivered by the Institut national du service public (INSP) in Paris, covering a broad range of public administration topics. Eleven participants from the region were selected to participate in the training programmes on Leadership and management, Negotiating within and with the European Union, and Risks and crisis management at the European and international levels.

In addition, the one-year project started last year on Promoting integrity and ethics in the public sector, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, aims to raise awareness among civil servants in the Western Balkans about corruption prevention and integrity and ethical standards in public administration. It benefits from the contributions of leading French institutions, including the Agence française anticorruption, the Haute Autorité pour la transparence de la vie publique, and the Direction générale de l'administration et de la fonction publique (DGAFP).

BRIDGEtoEU

Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and implemented in close cooperation with the ReSPA, BRIDGEtoEU is a two-year programme that aims to foster cooperation among administrations and exchange of experience, strengthen institutional capacities and support the development of shared solutions to common reform challenges.

On the French side, the programme mobilises a wide range of institutional stakeholders, including central and territorial administrations, public service schools, and specialised public bodies. This collective mobilisation enables the provision of complementary expertise within a framework of knowledge sharing, practice transfer, policy dialogue and mutual learning.

The first year of the Programme is structured around three priority components: Support to leadership management and human resources management in the public service - to strengthen senior management, talent management and change management capacities within public administrations; Capacity building for public service schools and training institutes - to consolidate initial and continuous training systems for civil servants, and Support for European integration preparation - in line with the administrative requirements of the EU accession process.

Opening Doors to Europe: Welcoming Camille Peyrgne to ReSPA

We are proud to host EU member-state graduate and postgraduate students and young civil servants, offering them a real administrative environment beyond the classroom.

Camille is already the third intern we have welcomed from an EU Member State. This spring, we hosted a Camille Peyregne - trainee civil servant from the Institut régional d’administration (IRA) of Metz for a six-week internship, further strengthening institutional ties and exchanges.

His engagement focuses on immersing civil service students in a European and international administrative context - discovering different public administration systems and putting into practice the knowledge gained at the Institut régional d’administration in Metz.                

Watch here

Mechanisms of Direct Support

“On-Demand” instruments continue to provide flexible, targeted support to ReSPA Members, responding directly to the Members’ evolving reform priorities. Building on increased uptake and a refined methodology, a growing portfolio of initiatives is being implemented across key areas such as public administration reform, policy coordination, human resources development, quality management, public finance, innovation, and digitalisation - delivering concrete, country-specific results and demonstrating the strength of tailored, demand-driven support in accelerating reforms and delivering measurable improvements across public administrations in the Western Balkans.

In total, 10 projects are currently ongoing or in the final stage of approval:

• In Albania, we are supporting strengthening the capacity of the Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA) to implement the CAF model in 2026 and to serve as a national CAF Resource Centre (currently under the final stage of approval).

• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, through 2 projects, we are supporting the enhancement of quality management through a workshop on excellence and performance in public administration, and updating internal audit methodology within the public sector.
• In Montenegro, through two ongoing projects, we continue to support the evaluation of its PAR Strategy 2022–2026, while also supporting the development and implementation of the IT audit methodology.
• In North Macedonia, through four ongoing projects, we are supporting a comprehensive digital health system architecture project, alongside preparing for the upcoming implementation of several initiatives related to learning management systems, PAR strategy evaluation, and institutional capacity building.
• In Serbia, we support the continuation of advancing the quality management through the implementation of the CAF model in the Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

Horizontal Facility

Driving Montenegro’s Digital Future: ReSPA and HRMA Unite for a First-of-Its-Kind Civil Service Training Initiative

ReSPA and the Human Resources Management Authority have signed the Cooperation Agreement to implement a strategic Training Programme for Civil Servants. Montenegro is pursuing the modernisation of its public administration and acceleration of digital transformation as part of its broader socio-economic development and EU accession process. Strengthening the digital skills of civil servants is essential to improving the quality, efficiency, and user-centred design of public services, and to supporting evidence-informed decision-making across institutions. Public administration bodies in Montenegro increasingly rely on data and information systems to deliver services to citizens and businesses and to support evidence-informed policymaking. However, there is a persistent gap in practical, hands-on skills for data analytics and data management - including collecting and preparing datasets, working with databases, applying reproducible analysis, producing dashboards and reports, and applying data quality, governance and privacy principles. This initiative addresses the need for intensive, practice-oriented training that equips civil servants with job-relevant competencies to analyse and manage data in support of improved public services and institutional decision-making.

Within this programme, four intensive, practice-oriented bootcamps will be implemented covering programming, data analytics and data management, data science and user experience. Each training is designed with a strong emphasis on hands-on labs, real-life public-sector use cases, and measurable learning outcomes.

Mobility Schemes

Regional Public Administration Mobility Programme

Titled “Shaping the Future of Public Service – Together”, the programme is a unique regional initiative aiming to strengthen cooperation, institutional capacities, and mutual trust among public administrations in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood through structured peer learning and professional mobility. By “pairing the peers” and combining executive training with hands-on institutional exchanges, it enables public servants to learn from each other’s reform experiences, acquire practical governance tools, and build lasting professional networks that support regional integration and EU accession. Inspired by the concept of an “Erasmus for civil servants,” the programme “pairs the peers” and combines executive training with hands-on institutional exchanges in the EU Member States institutions and our partner institutions.

Watch here

Policy Papers

Emerging Tech for Smarter Public Administrations in the Western Balkans

The accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies across the Western Balkans presents both significant opportunities and complex governance challenges. Public administrations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo* are increasingly experimenting with AI tools - from citizen-facing digital assistants to predictive analytics in taxation and healthcare - to improve service delivery and efficiency.

However, these developments are taking place in a fragmented environment, marked by uneven digital infrastructure, skills gaps, and the absence of harmonised governance frameworks. As a result, many promising pilots struggle to move beyond experimental stages and deliver sustained, system-wide impact.

This is why ReSPA developed this policy paper - it responds to a dual strategic imperative: supporting the alignment of Western Balkan administrations with the European Union’s digital and AI governance frameworks, while also strengthening their capacity to ensure that AI is used in a trustworthy, transparent, and resilient manner.

Download

Regional Comparative Analysis of Public - Sector Integrity in the Western Balkans

In recent years, public administrations across the Western Balkans have advanced the modernisation of their integrity frameworks at a considerable pace. However, translating legal and policy frameworks into measurable results remains uneven across the region.

This comparative analysis examines the legal frameworks, implementation mechanisms, and capacity-building efforts in the field of public sector integrity across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo*. It benchmarks six key integrity pillars - integrity policy (anti-corruption strategies), conflict of interest regulation, asset and interest disclosure systems, codes of ethics, whistleblower protection, and integrity training-against relevant international standards and established good practices. The analysis is intended as a practical resource for policymakers, practitioners, and training institutions, supporting ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust in public administration across the region.

Download

Partnership

This period, we deepened cooperation with key EU institutions and regional and international partners, further reinforcing ReSPA’s role in advancing public administration reform and supporting EU integration. Strong engagement with the European Commission (DG ENEST) and active contributions to the Berlin Process dialogue helped align and advance shared regional priorities.

At the same time, enhanced collaboration with the Spanish National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) opened new avenues for peer learning, innovation, and institutional exchange, strengthening the foundations for more connected, forward-looking public administrations across the region:

European Commission Delegation Reaffirms Strong Support for ReSPA’s Strategic Direction

Director Handjiska-Trendafilova and our team welcomed a delegation from the European Commission’s DG ENEST at our premises in Podgorica in March. The delegation was led by Mr Thomas Hagleitner, Head of Unit A.1 - Enlargement Strategy and Coordination at DG ENEST, and included Vasyl Zubaka, Policy Officer at DG ENEST, and Bernard Brunet, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro. The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange updates on key priorities and developments on both sides, further strengthening alignment on public administration reform and EU integration efforts.      

Read more

ReSPA Contributes to the Berlin Process Prime Ministers’ Sherpas Meeting

ReSPA enriches two meetings held in February and May – In February, senior advisors and officials mandated by their governments, alongside EU institutions, regional organisations, and partners, discussed priorities related to the Common Regional Market and preparations for the upcoming Berlin Process cycle. Director Handjiska-Trendafilova underlined the ReSPA’s role in strengthening public administration reform as a key enabler of regional cooperation and EU integration, and announced the ReSPA’s support for the Berlin Process Ministerial Dialogue on Public Administration Reform under Montenegro's Chairmanship. The May meeting served as a good platform for Boris Ristovic, ReSPA Programme Coordinator, to present the Regional Mobility Programme.

Read more

ReSPA and INAP Spain Strengthen a Strategic Partnership

ReSPA’s Secretariat team visited the Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública in Madrid to deepen institutional cooperation, foster innovation, and strengthen strategic collaboration between the two institutions - creating new learning opportunities for public servants across the region. The programme opened at INAP headquarters with remarks by Manuel Pastor Sainz-Pardo, Director of INAP, and Director Handjiska-Trendafilova, who emphasised the importance of staff cohesion, continuous learning, and strong partnerships in addressing the evolving challenges of public administration in Europe and the Western Balkans.                                                                                     

Read more

Upcoming events

Read more

Indicative Programme Of Work 2026

The ReSPA Programme of Work 2026 outlines directions for supporting public administration reform, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and promoting structured exchanges with EU Member States to ensure that the region's administrations are equipped to meet European governance principles and standards.                                   

Read more

ReSPA Team

ReSPA in Motion: A Quarter of Change, Continuity and Growth

The past quarter has been marked by significant developments within the ReSPA team, reflecting both continuity and renewal across the organisation. These changes span new leadership transitions, the arrival of experienced professionals, internal career progression of some of ReSPA staff, and the departure of valued colleagues - each contributing in different ways to the evolution of ReSPA’s work and culture.

Together, these movements reflect a dynamic period of organisational strengthening, where new expertise is welcomed, internal talent is recognised and advanced, and long-standing contributions are appreciated with respect and gratitude. Most importantly, they underscore the ReSPA team's shared commitment to continuity of delivery, institutional resilience, and sustained support for public administration reform across the region.

Welcoming Rozalija Karchicka-Vasilevska and Filip Chaparoski to ReSPA

We are pleased to welcome two highly experienced professionals to the ReSPA team, further strengthening our capacity in public administration reform, governance, and regional cooperation. Their combined expertise further enhances ReSPA’s capacity to support impactful reforms and strengthen public administration systems across the region:

Rozalija Karchicka-Vasilevska brings over 25 years of international experience in public policy, public financial management, digital governance, and institutional reform across multiple regions, including the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, East Africa, and Latin America. At ReSPA, she contributes to the strategic development and delivery of regional programmes and high-level policy dialogue, with a focus on public financial management reform, digital transformation of public services, and the responsible use of data and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions for improved governance and evidence-based decision-making.

Filip Chaparoski is a senior governance and public policy expert with more than 20 years of experience leading complex democracy and reform programmes across Central and Eastern Europe, with a strong focus on the Western Balkans. Prior to joining ReSPA, he served for over a decade with the National Democratic Institute, most recently as Regional Program Director for a multi-country anti-corruption and civic oversight initiative. In this role, he managed a multi-million-dollar portfolio and supported civil society efforts that contributed to key legislative and policy reforms across seven countries.

With Gratitude and Confidence: Leadership Transition

With great gratitude and confidence in continued leadership, we reflect on 4 years of transformative leadership by Director Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, which broadened horizons, repositioned ReSPA, and strengthened the institution’s engagement with numerous EU institutions through the design and implementation of multiple initiatives - while further reinforcing its core mandate. Under her guidance, this period led to enhanced cooperation with the European Commission and EU Member States, which identified our team as a key driver of public administration reform in the Western Balkans and expanded our scope of work to the Eastern Neighbourhood.

The entire ReSPA team extends heartfelt thanks to Director Handjiska-Trendafilova for the years of progress and internal growth. Continuing her career in a new professional environment, we wish her every success in her future endeavours, with deep appreciation for her leadership and the strong team that stood behind it, because behind every successful leader stands a committed and capable team.

At the same time, we express full confidence in the Director of ReSPA ad interim, colleague Jelena Mrdak, who has taken on a broad range of responsibilities and is ensuring the organisation's continuity and smooth functioning until the appointment of a new Director.

Recognising Excellence: Milena Drača and Slaven Bukarica Upgraded for Outstanding Contribution

We are pleased to announce the upgrade of the positions of Milena Drača and Slaven Bukarica, in recognition of their results-driven approach, strong professionalism, and consistent contributions to ReSPA’s work. Their commitment and impact have been instrumental in advancing key organisational priorities, further strengthening ReSPA’s visibility and communication efforts, and advancing the Regional Quality Management agenda.

This recognition reflects their continued dedication and the valuable expertise they bring to their respective fields, reinforcing a strong and collaborative approach to delivering results across the organisation.

With Gratitude and Respect: Thank You, Genti and Ivana

We extend our sincere appreciation to Gentian Xhaxhiu, Programme Mannager Legal/Coordinator, and Ivana Petričević, Knowledge Management Platform and Partnership Officer, who have moved on from ReSPA.

Beyond their professional roles, they have been an important part of our team culture - bringing dedication, positivity, and the ability to navigate even the most complex situations with calmness and clarity. Their contribution went far beyond tasks and responsibilities; they helped shape a supportive, collaborative, and human working environment.

While their departure is felt across the organisation, we are equally grateful for the time, energy, and commitment they invested in ReSPA, and for the shared achievements we built together.

We wish them every success and fulfilment in their future endeavours and are confident they will continue to make a strong impact wherever they go.

Continuing with Strength and Commitment: New Programme Roles at ReSPA

We are pleased to share that Boris Ristović has been appointed as Programme Mannager/Coordinator, successfully taking on responsibility for overseeing the effective implementation of ReSPA’s demanding Programme of Work. At the same time, Jelisaveta Tasev has taken on the additional role of Programme Manager – Legal temporarily, until the arrival of a new colleague in the Legal area, building on her extensive experience and strong professional background.

These developments reflect both continuity and trust within our team, as well as the value of internal expertise and dedication. We are confident that Boris and Jelisaveta will continue to contribute with the same professionalism, commitment, and collaborative spirit that are at the heart of ReSPA’s work.