ReSPA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, is organizing capacity building activity titled ”Strengthening Capacities for EU Enlargement: EU Policies, Funding Mechanisms, and Strategic Development”, on 5-7 May 2026, in Zagreb, Croatia.

The activity aims to address the key aspects of EU funding, explore the examples of best practice of the absorption of EU funds in the Member States and in the Western Balkans region and derive lessons learn for Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia that can be implemented to smooth the process.

The participants will be able to learn from the Croatian experts and civil servants specialised in these matters through the support of the Service for Knowledge Transfer, as well as other experts and researchers from the WB region.

The Programme supports participants in exchanging with their peers, learning about best practices, and creating lasting professional networks for future cooperation. In addition, the selection of topics aims to contribute to the discussions related to the preparations for the new Multiannual Financial Framework, specifically based on the experience related to the application of the Reform and Growth Facility, the Growth Plans and the Reform Agendas for the regions, structure and sources of EU funding and coordination and implementation of the funds.

The program is designed for mid-career to senior-level civil servants who work in the field of coordination of the EU funds, from planning to implementation and monitoring of projects, coming from ministries/departments/ agencies in charge of EU integration/accession, ministries of finance, institutions in charge of implementation of major EU-funded projects, regional development or other civil servants who can benefit from gaining in-depth knowledge in relation to the EU budgetary matters and development funding.