24-28 November, Copenhagen, Denmark

The winners of the Western Balkans Public Administration Awards 2024 have reached the final, inspiring chapter of their award journey - one marked by discovery and a shared vision for a stronger, smarter, and more citizen-centred public administration across the region.

The Western Balkans Public Administration Awards 2024 is a prestigious biannual competition, co-organised by ReSPA and the SIGMA Programme, that celebrates the frontrunners of public administration - teams that not only dream of better governance but make it real. This year’s winning teams, already recognised for their innovation and excellence, had the opportunity to embark on a transformative study visit to Denmark and Sweden, two countries whose digital success stories have become global benchmarks.

The study visit was more than a professional milestone - it was a deep dive into the very future of public service. The programme exposed participants to the latest digital pathways in Europe, ranging from AI in public administration to digital wallets, the green digital transition, and the seamless delivery of services through user-friendly digital platforms.

The award journey brought together outstanding representatives from across the Western Balkans: Public Procurement Office of Albania, City of Prijedor, Ministry of Labour and Welfare of Montenegro, Central Business Registry of North Macedonia, Office for IT and Digital Government of Serbia, Public Policy Secretariat of Serbia and City of Kragujevac.

The first stop was Digital Hub Denmark, a powerhouse of innovation founded by the Danish institutions and their private-sector partners. Here, the participants explored Denmark’s globally admired digital journey and its unwavering commitment to designing services that revolve around citizens’ needs.

The group explored the Danish citizen portal, a true model of digital simplicity and accessibility. They also engaged in a forward-looking conversation with NetCompany, one of Denmark’s leading implementers of cutting-edge digital solutions, delving into the architecture of digital wallets and the expanding role of AI in enhancing public services.

The next highlight was participation at the SEMIC 2025 Interoperable Europe Conference: Where Europe Discusses Tomorrow. This year's EU flagship gathering on interoperability spotlighted topics such as semantics, AI, digital sovereignty, and cross-border collaboration, offering participants a rare opportunity to engage directly with European digital leaders shaping the policies and solutions of tomorrow.

The study visit continued in Sweden, where the teams learned from their Swedish counterparts how to put citizens at the centre, exploring the internal workings of the Agency of Public Financial Management and gaining insight into effective organisational practices and streamlined internal processes. In the City of Malmö, the participants experienced how a modern city places digital tools directly in the hands of citizens. Discussions around “Digital Malmö” opened new perspectives on user-centric services, accessibility, and the importance of direct connection with the community.

The programme concluded with a visit to cBrain, a Danish company renowned for simplifying public sector workflows. Their approach to optimising internal processes and case management offered inspiring lessons for the participants - lessons that many expressed they are eager to take back home and adapt to their own institutions.

As this journey concludes, one truth stands clear: the Western Balkans is home to remarkable teams whose passion and commitment are driving real transformation. Their work, recognized through the Public Administration Awards, shows that the region is not only keeping pace with Europe - it is contributing to Europe’s future.

These teams return home not just with new knowledge, but with renewed energy, inspiration, and a collective determination to build public administrations that every citizen can take pride in.