April 2024, ReSPA, Podgorica

The ReSPA Secretariat undertook a comprehensive review of the previous quarter, setting the stage for forthcoming activities to empower civil servants to spearhead reforms, address emerging challenges, and cultivate new skills essential for effective governance. Collaborating closely with working group members and partners, the ReSPA team implemented a diverse array of learning, networking, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, engaging approximately 450 public servants across the region, testifying:

Noteworthy Expansion: Witnessed a heightened momentum in programmatic and horizontal activities, encompassing 26 capacity-building and networking endeavours, including 7 CAF external evaluations (PEF Procedures) and 1 CAF initiative in Serbia.

Additionally, 10 "On-demand support" projects and 2 Mobility Scheme projects were implemented, spanning crucial areas such as PAR Strategic Framework, acquis alignment, innovations in public administration, knowledge sharing, e-learning, and digitalisation.

Scholarships for Excellence: Facilitated 10 scholarships for distinguished public servants to partake in learning activities hosted by prestigious EU-based institutes and governance schools, bolstering expertise and fostering international collaboration.

Exceptional Participant Feedback: The overwhelming majority of participants in ReSPA activities during the reporting period lauded the quality of the initiatives as "excellent," underscoring the effectiveness and relevance of the undertaken endeavours.

Strategic Engagements: Conducted several strategic initiatives to enhance public administration capacities and foster regional cooperation. Notably, the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Public Administration Reform and the Workshop on Leading with Vision, conducted in collaboration with the French Directorate General of Administration and Public Function, stand out as pivotal events driving transformative dialogue and action.

Flagship Mobility Initiatives: Successfully launched two flagship regional mobility programs: the Western Balkans Public Servants Capacity Building and Mobility Programme in partnership with the Italian administration, and the Western Balkans Regional Mobility Scheme, envisioned to deepen regional cooperation through executive education, study visits, and job shadowing opportunities.

Quality Assurance Milestones: The Regional Quality Management Centre executed 6 PEF procedures, culminating in the CAF Effective User Label awarding, a testament to the commitment towards excellence and continuous improvement.

Strengthened Partnerships: In addition to fostering ongoing collaboration with public administration institutions in ReSPA Member States, formalised substantive partnerships with key stakeholders were established. Notably, ReSPA signed a Declaration of Intent with the French Minister of Transformation and Public Service, and a Partnership Agreement with the European University Institute (EUI), setting the stage for enhanced cooperation and impactful future endeavours.

Looking ahead to the upcoming period until June, the ReSPA team is poised for an even more dynamic phase, with over 20 capacity-building events on the agenda. This includes the inaugural conference focusing on the Local level, as well as Mobility schemes, delving into Cluster 1 of the negotiation chapter, and the continuation of staff satisfaction surveys, now extending to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Additionally, plans include visits to EU Public Administration institutions' HR teams and Policy coordination units, fostering opportunities for learning and exchange.

A pivotal aspect of the Meeting centred on elaborating ReSPA's New Strategic Orientation for 2025 – 2030. This forward-looking plan aims to engage all relevant stakeholders and will be formally presented for adoption at the Governing Board meeting at the Ministerial level scheduled for November 2024.

The next 61^st Governing Board Meeting at the Senior Official Level will occur in the first half of July 2024.