16-17 September 2025 Podgorica, Montenegro

The “Ireland for EU Enlargement Programme” - the three-year initiative, led by Ireland’s Institute of Public Administration (IPA) and funded by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), is designed to support the professional growth and capacity-building of public servants engaged in EU accession processes - officially kicks off today at the Science and Technology Park in Podgorica, Montenegro.

At the opening, Mr Thomas Byrne, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, emphasised in his virtual address that Ireland’s “deeper engagement with EU candidate and potential candidate countries reflects the high value Ireland places on advancing EU enlargement.” Minister Byrne highlighted how enlargement has transformed Ireland’s economy and society, affirming that “every European country deserves the same opportunity, provided they meet the necessary criteria. That is why Ireland not only supports the unification of our continent through EU enlargement, but also provides technical and leadership expertise, including through this programme, to help candidate countries implement essential reforms.”

Helen Brophy, Director General of the Irish Institute of Public Administration, welcomed participants and emphasised: “The IPA is delighted to be working in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs in supporting Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova with their respective accession to the European Union. We are equally pleased to be collaborating with the Regional School of Public Administration, which is providing local support. This is a significant development on Ireland's part, and it isa  testament to our long-standing pro-Europe support as a nation.”

The Director Handjiska-Trendafilova expressed ReSPA’s pride in being entrusted with supporting the implementation of this Programme: “We could not have wished for a better partner than Ireland and IPA, who have entrusted us with a role in supporting this programme. We are honored and privileged to do so. We look forward to valuable lessons from Ireland – a country that has so much to share in terms of resilience, in harnessing the opportunities of EU membership and the Single Market, and in highlighting the importance of governance, education, and human capital development.

To the participants selected for this programme – heartfelt congratulations as you embark on this learning journey. What makes this programme special is that, beyond the sectoral policy focus and its three streams, it also pays great attention to leadership development.

A particularly warm welcome goes to our participants from Ukraine and Moldova. We admire your commitment and resilience, and we hope this programme will significantly contribute to your personal growth as well as the advancement of your administrations. I am especially delighted that ReSPA will soon begin working with your administrations more actively, and we look forward to deepening this cooperation.”

Rooted in the belief that EU accession is not only a legal process but a profound leadership challenge, the programme will offer a space for public leaders to explore the complex realities of reform, resilience, and trust-building in a volatile and changing world. The initial programme will involve delegates from Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine, further solidifying the support that Ireland is providing to EU institutions amidst complexity.

The Year 1 programme will focus on three core streams: Justice, Integrity, Rule of Law, and Governance; Building Institutions for Economic Prosperity; Digital Transformation of Public Administration, with Leadership as a horizontal stream.

By combining technical expertise with adaptive leadership development, the programme aims to create a dynamic learning environment and establish a strong regional network of reform-oriented leaders.

The launch in Podgorica provided participants with an opportunity to engage in interactive workshops, leadership development sessions, and networking activities. Central to the event were discussions on critical thinking, challenge framing, and broadening perspectives. Participants also identified a shared challenge linked to EU accession priorities and formed technical workstreams that will guide their collaborative efforts throughout the programme.

In his keynote address, Mr. Predrag Zenović, Chief Negotiator for Montenegro, highlighted the essential skills required for EU accession, underlining the importance of strategic leadership and evidence-based decision-making.

The launch conference will conclude with a fireside dinner, where participants will have the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions with Ivan Ivanišević, Acting Director General for EU Affairs; Orlando Fusco from the EU Delegation to Montenegro; James Hagan, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ireland, Budapest; and Dr. Stephen Weir, Chief Economist in IPA.

The Ireland for EU Enlargement Programme marks a significant step toward fostering sustainable leadership and enhancing institutional capacities in the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine, aligning regional public administration practices with EU accession standards. Participants will continue to work in technical workstreams throughout Year 1 of the Programme, applying lessons learned and advancing initiatives linked to EU accession priorities.