ReSPA, in partnership with the Italian School of Administration (SNA), Italian Ministry of Public Administration, and with the continued support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has launched the third edition of the Public Servants’ Capacity Building & Mobility Programme, to be implemented during 2026.

Now entering its third consecutive year, the programme represents a strong and growing partnership between the Western Balkans and Italy, focused on strengthening public administration capacities, fostering regional cooperation, and supporting EU integration processes. Over the past two editions, more than 100 public servants from across the Western Balkans have benefited from executive education, mobility schemes, and hands-on exposure to Italian administrative practices.

Building on lessons learned and the positive impact achieved so far, Programme 3.0 introduces a more strategic and targeted design, aimed at deepening institutional impact and ensuring stronger follow-up at national and regional level. The 2025–2026 edition will be structured around three thematic streams, aligned with Italy’s areas of expertise and the reform priorities of Western Balkan administrations:

• Digital Transformation of Public Services, focusing on digital governance, e-government solutions, interoperability, data-driven public administration, and the emerging use of AI in service delivery;
• Strengthening Local-Level Administrations and Regional Development, addressing project management for EU funds, regional development instruments, and multi-level governance, with particular attention to municipalities and regional authorities;
• Leadership Competences for Public Sector Transformation, targeting senior public officials and focusing on strategic leadership, performance management, and leading complex reform and change processes.

In addition, the programme will include a horizontal on-demand technical assistance component, allowing participating administrations to request tailored support, short-term expertise, mobility visits, or scholarships for specialised courses in Italy, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to emerging reform needs.

A core feature of the programme remains learning in context, with in-person modules hosted primarily in Italy, notably at SNA’s training facilities in Caserta, and contributions from Italian ministries, regions, municipalities, and specialised agencies. Selected participants will also benefit from job shadowing placements and targeted mobility opportunities within Italian institutions.

The programme will engage 48 public servants from the Western Balkans, representing both central and local levels of government, and will combine regional events, in-person learning, online masterclasses, and practical follow-up activities.

The call for participants will be launched in early 2025.