15 October 2025, Budva, Montenegro

The Governing Board members at the Senior official level approved the Report from the 65th GB SL meeting. They discussed the organisation of the 17th Governing Board meeting at Ministerial level, alongside the event Partnership for Reform: Western Balkans – Italy Ministerial Dialogue “Data-Driven and Anticipatory Governance: Shaping Resilient Public Institutions for the Future”. The Secretariat presented details on the preparation of the meeting, and the Governing Board took note of the information provided.

Under Programme Issues, the Governing Board reviewed the Report on ReSPA Operations and Implementation of the Programme of Work for the period 11 June – 17 September 2025. The Secretariat highlighted key activities conducted during this period, as well as planned initiatives for the upcoming months. The Board discussed and approved the report and took note of planned future activities.

The preliminary results of the ReSPA Monitoring process 2025 were also presented, covering activities carried out in 2024. The findings, based on stakeholder perceptions, post-event questionnaire

The Secretariat also provided an overview of the prospective upcoming EC Grant Contract 2026–2028. The initial draft, submitted to the European Commission in July 2025, received its first round of comments in September 2025. The upcoming grant will primarily focus on the Western Balkans, with extended support to selected Eastern Partnership countries. Information on foreseen HR positions and potential impacts on ReSPA Core Staff was also presented and noted by the Board.

Financial matters were then reviewed. The Governing Board acknowledged the ReSPA Interim IFRS Financial Statements and the Interim Core Budget Implementation Report for the period 01 January – 30 June 2025, and the draft Budget for 2026–2027 and the proposed National Envelope for 2026.

The Secretariat also presented options for the finalisation and bridging of the remaining 10% of the current EC Grant Contract 2022/437-350, as recommended by the Budget Committee. The Governing Board adopted Resolution No GB-SL R/05-2025, authorising the temporary use of the Working Capital Fund to cover the final instalment.

Under Any Other Business, the Secretariat updated members on the ongoing recruitment process for the position of Programme Manager, reporting that 81 applications had been received and outlining the next steps.

The meeting concluded with the Governing Board setting the date for the 67th GB SL meeting in the first half of December 2025.