19 September 2024, ReSPA Premises, Online

ReSPA convened its Advisory Board and 46th Budget Committee meetings on 19 September 2024, focusing on crucial strategic orientation and budget management issues.

During the Advisory Board Meeting, ReSPA Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA presented the newly developed Strategic Orientation 2025-2030 to a distinguished panel of Advisory Board members, including Peter VAGI, SIGMA Coordinator for the Western Balkans and Türkiye; Thomas PROROK, Managing Director of KDZ; Jana REPANSEK, Director of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF); and Biljana STANIŠIĆ DRAGOLJIĆ, Senior Expert from the Regional Cooperation Council.

In her presentation, Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA emphasized that the new strategy, created in collaboration with ReSPA's Governing Board and key partners, would serve as a roadmap for ReSPA’s future initiatives. She described it as a “bridge towards a realistic vision of a Western Balkan public sector that moves beyond the humbling rhetoric of never-ending reform and aspires to recognition into the ranks of European excellence”.  She further outlined ReSPA's commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and developing a professional, transparent, and innovative public sector, stating: "By 2030, we anticipate a resilient network of cooperation, where governments can address common challenges through shared platforms and joint initiatives. Our work will remain focused on fostering a citizen-centric and accountable public sector, a catalyst for responsive governance and sustainable development."

The 46th Budget Committee Meeting was equally productive, reviewing ReSPA’s financial performance through the Interim Financial Statements and Core Budget Implementation Report for the first half of 2024, covering topics on the EC grant, donor projects, liquidity, and other operational issues. The main focus of the discussion was the proposed cost-conscious Core budget for 2025-2026, which is ready to cover the regular and emerging operational requirements, enabling ReSPA to swiftly answer the needs of PAR in the region.

Both meetings reaffirm ReSPA’s role as a critical player in strengthening regional governance, offering both strategic leadership and financial accountability to drive sustainable public sector development across the Western Balkans. With a robust plan in place, ReSPA stays well-positioned to lead the region towards a future of enhanced cooperation, shared knowledge, and resilient governance practices.