19 December 2024, Rome, Italy

ReSPA, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the National School of Administration (SNA), hosted the closing workshop and certification ceremony of the Western Balkans Public Servants Capacity Building and Mobility Programme. This initiative, launched in December 2023, marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration between the Western Balkans and Italian public administrations.

The event brought together 50+ participants and experts to reflect on the program's transformative journey.

Mr Thomas Botzios, Director for the Adriatic and the Western Balkans, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of building resilient institutions to lead the accession of the WBs to the EU, while Italy is a strong supporter of the Enlargement of the Union.

Amb. Massimo Gaiani, Head of International and European Affairs at SNA, underlined Italy's dedication to fostering excellence in public administration. He emphasised the continued focus of SNA on strengthening the capacities of public officials from the WBs.

Director Handjiska-Trendafilova emphasised: “This program demonstrates the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By bringing public servants from the Western Balkans and Italy together, we are building professional networks and a shared vision for an efficient, resilient, and citizen-centric administration that aligns with European standards.”

Distinguished experts shared valuable insights on critical topics: Dr. Matteo Bonomi (Istituto Affari Internazionali) addressed the evolving EU landscape and the new Enlargement momentum, Prof. Claudia Morini (Salento University) focused on the role of Rule of Law in the accession process and lessons from the past, Prof. Denita Cepiku (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”) explored the concept of Collaborative Governance and how the partnership with the private sector can enhance public sector performance.

This year-long program, which was launched in December last year, focused on European integration, policy development, and digital transformation and provided hands-on learning, institutional visits, and peer-to-peer exchanges to over 50 public servants. They actively attended a total of 6 executive training modules, 1 high-level opening conference, 1 webinar, 7 hands-on meetings with Italian institutions and a closing workshop. The programme engaged more than 25 speakers and lecturers, mainly from Italy.

The program concluded with a panel discussion, awarding certificates, and plans to establish an alumni community, ensuring the legacy of knowledge-sharing and collaboration continues.