Our history
Established in line with the June 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda, officially launched in September 2010 and fully operational since October 2011, ReSPA has evolved into a regionally owned and strategically positioned platform that accelerates public sector transformation and drives impactful cooperation across Europe.
During its first four years, ReSPA functioned primarily as a regional training provider and in-service training centre for civil servants from across the Western Balkans.
In 2014, in response to recommendations from the European Union and its Members, ReSPA undertook a strategic transformation, shifting from a predominantly training-focused institution to a platform centred on quality management, capacity development, and networking. Through this evolution, ReSPA became a regional hub supporting its Members and Beneficiary in strengthening public administration capacities, both individually and collectively, while fostering peer learning, experience exchange, and regional cooperation.
Over the past 15 years, more than 15,000 civil servants from the region have enhanced their skills and knowledge through capacity development activities. In parallel, numerous institutions have implemented recommendations stemming from comprehensive analytical and policy papers, contributing to tangible reforms across public administrations.
The ReSPA team will continue to support the effective responses of its Members’, Beneficiaries', and Participants` public administrations, to the evolving needs of citizens and businesses, through further strengthening regional cooperation in PAR and EU integration.
To this end, the ReSPA team will welcome additional members, donors, and participants, further reinforcing its role as a key platform for public administration transformation and European integration.
Ms Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, ReSPA DirectorOur evolution demonstrates institutional agility, strategic maturity, and a strong capacity to adapt to emerging roles and reform priorities. Over time, ReSPA has consistently expanded its mandate and instruments, proving its readiness to identify and implement the most effective approaches to support Members in addressing complex governance challenges and advancing public administration reforms.
Today, ReSPA is implementing a dynamic and comprehensive portfolio of programme activities, including the 6th European Commission Grant Cycle, engaging administrations from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, as well as the 3rd cycle of a multi-year flagship programme developed in close partnership with Italian ministries and public institutions. This long-standing cooperation has evolved into a trusted, results-driven partnership.
In parallel, the ReSPA team is delivering two French-funded regional projects focused on public sector integrity, and HR management development, EU accession processes, and local governance reforms, as well as an extensive programme implemented with Irish partners, further reinforcing ReSPA’s European cooperation framework and expanding its institutional expertise.
Looking ahead, we are committed to broadening our partnerships and diversifying our funding base. We will intensify fundraising efforts to mobilise additional resources that complement European Commission grants, enabling us to respond more flexibly to emerging needs and to implement targeted activities at both regional and national levels across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership administrations. This approach will also strengthen ReSPA’s Core Budget, ensuring institutional sustainability and long-term impact.
By expanding cooperation with EU Member States, international organisations, development partners, and donors, the ReSPA team aims to scale up its role as a platform for joint action, innovation, and results - transforming strategic priorities into concrete reforms that deliver tangible benefits for administrations, citizens, and businesses across the regions.