12 June 2026, Belgrade, Serbia

ReSPA convened a Budget Committee Meeting to review the organisation's financial performance, assess the implementation of key programmes, and discuss strategic priorities for the remainder of 2026.

Hosted at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, the meeting brought together Budget Committee members and ReSPA Secretariat representatives to examine a comprehensive agenda focused on financial accountability, programme implementation, and future development initiatives.

A central item on the agenda was the presentation of the Independent Auditor's Report for ReSPA's Financial Statements for the period 1 January – 31 December 2025. The Budget Committee reviewed the audit findings and considered recommendations for adoption by the ReSPA Governing Board, reaffirming the organisation's commitment to sound financial management, transparency, and accountability.

The Committee also reviewed the Expenditure Verification Report of the Core Budget Implementation for 2025, assessing the legality, regularity, and effectiveness of budget execution. Following discussions, members considered recommendations for the Governing Board regarding the adoption of the report.

Participants received an update on the implementation of the European Commission-funded IPA III project, including activities carried out through May 2026 and planned actions for the remainder of the year. The discussion highlighted ReSPA's continued role in supporting public administration reform and regional cooperation across the Western Balkans.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review progress on several important initiatives and partnerships, including:

• The Capacity Building and Mobility Programme implemented in cooperation with the Italian Administration;
• Digital skills training initiatives for Montenegrin civil servants;
• The "Bridge to EU - France for Good Governance in the Western Balkans" project supported by the French Embassy in Montenegro;
• Cooperation with the Government of Ireland;
• The RADAR project; and
• AI4Gov-X, a Horizon Europe initiative focused on advancing innovation and artificial intelligence in public administration.

In addition, members reviewed the status of national contributions to ReSPA's 2026 Core Budget and exchanged views on the organisation's future activities and priorities.

The Meeting reaffirmed ReSPA's commitment to effective governance, financial integrity, and the continuous development of public administrations across the Western Balkans through regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovative capacity-building initiatives.