10-11 September 2025, Bar, Montenegro

ReSPA supported the regional training “Cybersecurity Standards in Public Institutions”, under the Programme for Good Governance in Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans, crafted by Geneva Centre for Security Governance (DCAF), Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) and UK Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance – DCAF, in cooperation with the Regional School of Public Administration - ReSPA and the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre, Montenegro - WB3C, is organising regional training on cybersecurity standards in public institutions.

At the opening, Bojana Bajić, ReSPA Public Policies Innovations and Digitalisation Officer, emphasised the importance of strengthening cybersecurity capacities in public administrations across the region: “Cybersecurity is no longer a purely technical issue; it has become a governance and trust issue that directly affects the way our citizens interact with public administrations. Secure, resilient, and trustworthy digital services are a cornerstone of modern governance and of the European integration process in the Western Balkans. ReSPA is dedicated to supporting public administrations by enhancing digital skills, developing cybersecurity curricula, and showcasing successful national approaches, all with the aim of providing both strategic insights and practical tools.”

The two-day training brought together high-level experts and practitioners who shared knowledge and practical tools to advance cybersecurity governance in public institutions:

• Mr. Ioannis Alexakis (Head of General Directorate for Strategic Planning, National Cybersecurity Authority of Greece, Ministry of Digital Governance), presented Greece’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCSA), highlighting institutional structures and strategic priorities.
• Ms. Anastasia Papas (Instructional Designer for Digital Skills, ICT, Data Science, and Statistics at the National School of Public Administration & Local Government (ESDDA), Greece), delivered a session on enhancing digital competencies in the public sector, underlining the role of training in building resilience.
• Mr. Aleksandar Acev (cybersecurity expert), guided participants through practical steps on how to develop cybersecurity training curricula for public servants, IT staff, and managers in public institutions.
• Mr. Siniša Barjaktarević (Head of the IT Support Group for Training Implementation at the National Academy for Public Administration in Serbia), led a cybersecurity training session based on the Academy’s experience.
• Ms. Ana Jerić (Advisor for Planning and Implementation of E-learning Courses) and Ms. Marija Agatić (Specialist for the Organisation of Horizontal Training from the Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina) shared the Agency’s experience in designing and implementing e-learning solutions for strengthening cybersecurity awareness among civil servants.

Training concluded with an open discussion and reflections on how to mainstream cybersecurity standards across Western Balkan public institutions, ensuring both policy alignment with EU standards and practical readiness of civil services to address emerging cyber threats.

ReSPA will continue to demonstrate its role as a regional hub for knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and advancing the digital transformation agenda in the Western Balkans.