24-26 September 2024, Ohrid, North Macedonia

ReSPA held the fourth module of its Regional Academy on the Evidence-Informed Policymaking Process, focused on "Policy Making in the Digital World." This Module aims to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of policymaking across public administrations in the Western Balkans by emphasising the integration of digital tools into policy development.

Building on the success of previous modules, this module brings together over 35 mid- and senior-level professionals involved in policy planning and coordination. Through interactive presentations, World Café discussions, expert lectures, and sharing best practices from Western Balkan administrations, participants will gain insights from Croatia’s experience in enhancing civic engagement in policymaking through the eSavjetovanja platform. Statistics Estonia will demonstrate their use of social media to promote valuable data collection efforts and introduce an innovative tool to track progress on strategic goals. Additionally, colleagues from SIGMA will present the preliminary findings of the 2024 SIGMA Monitoring Reports, focusing on policy development and coordination. The module will also feature an academic perspective on using digital tools in policymaking alongside a showcase of an interactive platform developed by the civil society that monitors the operation and implementation of the measures as outlined in the official North Macedonia Government Work Program 2024-2028.

At the opening, Mr Goran MINCHEV, Minister of Public Administration, addressed participants, underlining the importance of using innovative tools, data, and technologies as an essential component of modern governance. “To design and implement policies that meet the needs of our citizens, we must harness the tremendous potential offered by digitalisation. Therefore, I can emphasise that, through our commitment to the Public Administration Reform Strategy, we encompass many aspects in this regard at the Ministry of Public Administration. One such effective example was recent support for the project - Application for Monitoring the Implementation of the Public Administration Reform Strategy. An application that has now been successfully implemented and was made possible with financial assistance from ReSPA,” pointed out Minister Minchev.

The minister also underlined that the Ministry of Public Administration is currently in the phase of debating and preparing new Administrative Laws (Law on Administrative Servants, Law on Public Sector Employees, and Law on Professional Development and Training of Administrative Servants), aiming to find high-quality solutions for regulating the work of public administration, involving all stakeholders.

“It's time in North Macedonia for a professional and high-quality public administration. It's time to employ and promote those who know, those who work, those who deserve it. We at the Ministry of Public Administration are prepared, together with you, as a team, to start this process. I am confident that over the next few days, you will participate in rich and fruitful discussions, share innovative ideas, and collaborate on solutions that will strengthen our collective capacity to respond to the demands of the digital era,” concluded Minister Minchev.

ReSPA Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA highlighted the transformative potential of digitalisation in policy development: "Digital tools can be potent underpinnings for policy development in the Western Balkans, enhancing efficiency, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in governance. Building on the prior ones, this module aims to equip you with examples of good practices and standards, as well as tools to better collect, manage, and analyse data, driving evidence-informed decisions. These platforms also empower you to monitor and coordinate policy implementation, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and fostering greater citizen engagement. This not only promotes more responsive governance but also strengthens public trust in institutions - which seems to be in crisis across the globe. This module offers you the opportunity to explore some of the most advanced EU practices and digital tools in this field while gaining in-depth knowledge of the revised Principles of Public Administration and insights into the initial findings from SIGMA’s monitoring in the area of policy development and coordination.  I encourage you all to collaborate, innovate, and find the best solutions to shared challenges, enhance regional cooperation, and achieve policy coherence in line with European standards. "

In closing her speech, Director Handjiska-Trendafilova thanked Minister MINCEV for his support, not only in organising this event but also for his overall backing of North Macedonia as the 2024 ReSPA Chair. She also expressed gratitude for his role in the upcoming High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on November 27 in Skopje, as well as his participation in the High-Level Conferences on Innovative HRM for the Public Administration of the Future (October 2-3 in Ljubljana) and Empowering Leaders (early December in Zagreb)."

The ReSPA’s Regional Academy on the evidence-informed policymaking process aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of policymaking in Western Balkan public administrations. The Academy prioritises strengthening cooperation with national governmental authorities and academic communities, increasing the involvement of national host institutions, and offering extended, comprehensive learning programs. This fourth module builds on the momentum of three previous sessions: Introduction to Policymaking (October 2022, Serbia), which covered the policy cycle; Monitoring and Evaluating Public Policies (June 2023, Montenegro), which focused on policy evaluation techniques and Policy and Budget (April 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina), which emphasised the link between financial planning and policy implementation.

The latest module continues to push forward ReSPA’s mission of modernising public governance in the Western Balkans through the effective use of digital tools.