21 April 2026, Budva, Montenegro

Director Handjiska-Trendafilova, Mr René Troccaz, French Special Envoy for the Western Balkans and Anne-Marie Maskay, French Ambassador to Montenegro, officially launched the “BRIDGE to EU – France for Good Governance in the Western Balkans” Programme yesterday at the High-Level Berlin Process Meeting in Budva.

“BRIDGE to EU is more than a cooperation programme - it is a practical investment in people, institutions, and trust. By connecting public servants across the Western Balkans and France, we are building a living bridge of knowledge and experience that turns reform ambitions into real administrative capacity. Strong institutions are not built in isolation; they are built through partnership, learning, and shared commitment to European values,” underlined Director Handjiska-Trendafilova on launching the Programme.

Anne-Marie Maskay, French Ambassador in Montenegro, stressed that “France is proud to support public administration reforms in the Western Balkans through a pragmatic and cooperative approach that places human development and peer exchange at its core, strengthening a truly collective dynamic alongside our excellent partner ReSPA."

Implemented with the support of ReSPA and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the two-year programme is designed to provide long-term support to public administration reform across the region. It aims to strengthen institutional capacities, enhance administrative cooperation, and promote the exchange of experience and best practices among administrations in the Western Balkans.

Mr Troccaz underlined: “On the French side, the BRIDGE to EU programme brings together a wide range of French institutions and public service schools, ensuring a broad mobilisation of expertise and experience. This collective engagement creates a dynamic framework for policy dialogue, knowledge transfer, and mutual learning, reinforcing our shared commitment to stronger, more resilient public administrations across the Western Balkans. The aim of this programme is to concretely accompany and facilitate their integration into the European context and networks.”

The Programme is firmly rooted in a partnership-based and peer-learning approach. Through active cooperation among institutions, it aims to: facilitate the exchange of experiences and solutions to shared reform challenges; strengthen professional and institutional networks and connect them with European counterparts, and encourage joint initiatives and sustainable regional cooperation. As such, BRIDGE to EU seeks to contribute to more professional, efficient, and citizen-oriented public administrations that are fully aligned with European governance standards.

The programme’s first-year activities will lay the foundation for sustainable impact by strengthening leadership capacities among senior officials, supporting public administration schools, and improving preparedness for EU integration processes. In its second year, the programme will expand its focus to cross-cutting reforms, including public financial management and multilevel governance.

At its core, the initiative reflects a shared conviction: public administration is not only the backbone of democratic governance, but also a key driver of economic development, social cohesion, and citizens’ trust in institutions.

This vision is structured around two key pillars:

• A high-performing, service-oriented administration capable of strategic planning, evidence-based decision-making, crisis response, and effective service delivery focused on citizens’ needs;
• A professional, merit-based civil service grounded in transparency, integrity, and accountability, where recruitment, career development, and skills-building follow clear and fair rules.

The programme places civil servants at the centre of transformation efforts, ensuring reforms translate into practical and sustainable improvements.

Find more about the Programme HERE

21 April 2026, Budva, Montenegro

ReSPA officially launched the Regional Public Administration Mobility Programme, “Shaping the Future of Public Service – Together,” at the High-Level Berlin Process Meeting in Montenegro, held in Budva on 21 April 2026.

Ministers responsible for public administration reform across the region, through the Chair’s Conclusions, recognised the ReSPA Regional Mobility Programme as an important milestone toward more capable, collaborative, and resilient public administrations, contributing to a shared European future for the region.

As Jelena Mrdak, ReSPA Programme Manager, underlined at the launch: “This initiative is our practical answer to a strategic question: how do we prepare a new generation of public servants to lead reform, deliver better services, and support the journey toward the European Union? Our answer is simple: by pairing peers, by creating real professional mobility, and by turning regional cooperation into everyday administrative practice.”

This flagship regional initiative is designed to strengthen cooperation, institutional capacity, and mutual trust among public administrations in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood.

Inspired by the concept of an “Erasmus for civil servants,” the programme pairs peers across administrations and combines executive training with hands-on institutional exchanges. It enables public servants to learn directly from reform experiences, acquire practical governance tools, and build lasting professional networks that support regional integration and EU accession processes.

The initiative contributes to the development of a shared regional administrative space aligned with European standards of public administration. This refers to progressively converging administrative practices grounded in the principles of good administration - legality, transparency, accountability, and service orientation - aligned with EU governance standards.

The programme will be implemented as a three-year initiative (2026–2028) through annual cycles. Each cycle will begin with a call for participants. Eligibility extends to administrations from the Western Balkans and selected Eastern Neighbourhood partners, including Ukraine, Moldova, and Armenia, fostering broader regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

By the end of the three-year period, the programme is expected to engage approximately 100 public servants. It aims to strengthen regional cooperation and mutual understanding among public administrations in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood; enhance professional competencies in key areas of public administration reform; promote peer learning through direct exposure to institutional practices across the region and EU Member States; support alignment with EU accession requirements and European governance standards; foster a sustainable network of reform-oriented public servants; and encourage political and institutional networking across participating administrations.

Find more about the Programme HERE

20–21 April 2026, Budva, Montenegro

The Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro hosted a high-level Ministerial Meeting under the Berlin Process in Budva, bringing together key regional leaders, EU officials, and international partners to advance public administration reform and accelerate EU accession-readiness across the Western Balkans.

Held under the theme “People4Europe: From Reform to Readiness - Building Leadership and Talent for EU Accession,” the meeting placed a strong focus on one of the most decisive elements of European integration: building capable, modern, and resilient public administrations that can deliver for citizens.

The event opened with remarks from Minister Marash Dukaj, Michael Reiffenstuel (Director for the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Council of Europe, and OSCE at the German Federal Foreign Office), and Director Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, setting a clear and forward-looking political tone. Speakers underscored the urgency of reforms that directly impact governance quality, public service delivery, and citizens’ trust in institutions.

Director Handjiska-Trendafilova expressed appreciation to the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry for their strong partnership, as well as to the Government of Germany, the European Commission, and regional and EU partners for their continued support.

“Today’s agenda sends a clear message – EU accession is not only about aligning legislation, but above all about investing in people. Empowering leaders, attracting talent, and building a public administration that is ready for Europe – professional, digital, and agile – are not separate reform processes. They are deeply interconnected and determine whether reforms remain only on paper or truly translate into institutional readiness and tangible results. At ReSPA, we firmly believe that regional cooperation is the key to accelerating the development of public administration in the region and advancing more effectively towards European Union membership,” underlined Handjiska-Trendafilova.

In her keynote address, Ms Valentina Superti (Director for Western Balkans, Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, European Commission) reinforced the importance of strengthening administrative capacity as a cornerstone of the next phase of EU enlargement, placing reforms within a broader European context and calling for accelerated alignment with EU standards.

At the heart of the meeting were ministerial discussions on empowering leadership and attracting talent in challenging times, while ensuring that civil services across the region became more skilled and agile. Ministers from across the Western Balkans - including Ministers Adea Pirdeni, Davor Bunoza, Lulëzon Jagxhiu, Goran Minchev, and Snežana Paunović, shared their perspectives and reform priorities.

The debate was further enriched by contributions from EU Member States and international experts, including Mr Thomas Pappenscheller (Counsellor, Civil Service and Public Sector Innovation, Mr French Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport), Mr Pavel Ivanov (Director of the Bulgarian Institute of Public Administration), Ms Fadila Bahović (State Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of Croatia), Mr René Troccaz (French Special Envoy for the Western Balkans), Mr Ioannis Foustanakis (Secretary General for Public Administration, Ministry of the Interior of Greece), Mr. Francesco Leone (Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian Minister for Public Administration), and Mr Peter Pogačar (Director General of the Public Sector Directorate, Slovenian Ministry of Public Administration).

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Regional Mobility Programme by ReSPA, presented by Jelena Mrdak, ReSPA Programme Manager. The initiative introduced a new dimension of regional cooperation, enabling civil servants to engage in structured exchanges, training, and on-the-job learning across administrations in the Western Balkans, the EU, Ukraine, Moldova, and Armenia. It was emphasised that the programme would provide participants with first-hand institutional experience, while fostering trust, openness, and a stronger sense of regional solidarity.

The programme was widely welcomed as a practical and forward-looking tool to strengthen knowledge exchange, support convergence with EU administrative practices, and build a more connected and future-ready civil service community across the region.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of the Chair’s Conclusions by Minister Dukaj, reaffirming the shared commitment to strengthening public administrations and advancing EU integration. Participants recognised the Regional Mobility Programme by ReSPA as an important step toward building more capable, collaborative, and resilient administrations that bring the region closer to a common European future.

15 – 16 April 2026, Podgorica, Montenegro

 ReSPA, in collaboration with the Belgian Federal Public Service for Policy and Support (BOSA), hosted a two-day intensive training programme titled “Effective Learning & Development for Training Managers”, gathering training managers and public administration professionals from across the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood regions, as well as Croatia and Slovenia, aiming to strengthen capacities for designing and delivering impactful, modern training programmes.

They explored key aspects of modern training management, including needs assessment, curriculum design, the use of digital and AI tools, and the evaluation of training effectiveness. Designed to be practical and forward-looking, the workshop helped participants translate knowledge into better training, stronger learning experiences, and improved institutional results. At the same time, it offered them a valuable opportunity to learn not only from the Belgian experience but also from one another, reinforcing the importance of regional exchange in advancing public sector learning and development.

Director Handjiska-Trendafilova underlined the strategic importance of investing in learning and development systems within public administrations:  “Training managers and trainers play a crucial role - not only as organisers of learning, but as enablers of institutional development, promoters of innovation, and partners in building professional, accountable, and citizen-oriented public services”, highlighted Handjiska-Trendafilova at the opening.

Mr Bernard Brunet, Head of Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, also addressed participants, underlining the EU’s continued support for public administration reform in the region. He stressed the importance of professional, transparent, and efficient administrations as a cornerstone of the EU integration process.

The first day of the training focused on foundational and strategic aspects of learning and development, allowing participants to engage in an introductory exercise on training effectiveness, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of curriculum design. Two distinguished experts from BOSA led the first day of the Workshop: Peter Vandenbruaene, Manager for Key Skills Development, and Mélanie Recour, Project Leader for Learning Solutions, who brought extensive experience in training design and public-sector capacity building.

Key sessions included: Training Needs Assessment (TNA) as a cornerstone of curriculum design, Global Curriculum Design, emphasising multi-dimensional inputs for building comprehensive training offers, Course-related Curriculum Design, covering the full cycle from needs analysis to defining SMART learning objectives, applying taxonomies, and selecting appropriate didactic tools and Development of training plans and course programmes, including the application of flipped learning methodologies

The second day shifts focus toward innovation, practical application, and evaluation. Core topics included: Digital and AI tools for effective training courses, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance learning engagement and outcomes; Consulting skills for training managers, enabling them to better support institutional learning needs; Training evaluation, including both conceptual frameworks and practical implementation methods; and Integration exercise, allowing participants to apply acquired knowledge in a comprehensive, hands-on scenario.

This interactive programme aligns with OECD SIGMA principles, reinforcing the importance of professional and efficient public administration systems. It places particular emphasis on equipping training managers with practical tools and methodologies to design evidence-based, learner-centred training programmes.

Participants gained enhanced skills in: applying adult learning principles, conducting effective training needs analyses, designing measurable and impactful learning objectives, and integrating digital platforms such as LMS and LXP and evaluating training outcomes for continuous improvement

By bringing together regional practitioners and international expertise, ReSPA continues to foster knowledge exchange and promote innovation in public sector training systems. This initiative contributes to building resilient, future-ready administrations across the Western Balkans.

8-9 April 2026, Prague, Czech Republic

More than 60 senior parliament and government officials, experts and representatives of international organisations from the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood gathered in Prague for the regional conference “Strengthening Parliamentary Scrutiny and Lawmaking: Challenges and Opportunities in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood”.

The two-day conference, held at the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, is jointly organised by the SIGMA Programme, ReSPA and GIZ, in close partnership with the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and the Government Office of the Czech Republic, with the support of the European Commission’s DG ENEST.

The event builds on the long-standing co-operation between ReSPA and SIGMA in supporting public administration reform, evidence-based policymaking and stronger parliamentary capacities across the region. The Czech institutions, particularly the Chamber of Deputies and its Parliamentary Institute, together with the Government Office of the Czech Republic, play a central role in delivering the activity, sharing practical experience and showcasing Czech approaches to legislative planning, parliamentary scrutiny and better regulation.

Participants from Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine are discussing how to strengthen evidence-based lawmaking, improve co-operation between governments and parliaments, advance parliamentary oversight and make better use of tools such as regulatory impact assessment, public consultation, post-legislative scrutiny and artificial intelligence.

Mr Martin Plíšek, Secretary General of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, welcomed participants to Prague and underlined the importance of stronger parliamentary institutions and evidence-based legislative processes.

Mr Giulio Venneri, Deputy Head of Unit at DG ENEST of the European Commission, stressed that quality lawmaking and effective parliamentary scrutiny are essential for advancing EU integration and implementing reforms aligned with European standards.

ReSPA Director Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, highlighted that effective parliaments and stronger collaboration between governments and legislatures are crucial for building public trust and ensuring that reforms deliver real results for citizens: “Parliamentary administrations and civil servants have a pivotal role in ensuring that legislation is prepared and scrutinised based on evidence, consultation and sound analysis. Through our partnership with SIGMA and Czech institutions, we are creating a platform for exchange and practical learning that can help administrations across the region strengthen their capacities and accelerate their EU integration paths.”  

Mr Gregor Virant, Head of the SIGMA Programme, emphasised the importance of improving parliamentary procedures, strengthening professional capacities and ensuring closer co-operation between governments and parliaments throughout the legislative cycle. Joining via video,

Ms Sandra Fuhr, Project Manager of the GIZ Eastern Partnership Public Administration Reform Project, highlighted the value of regional co-operation and peer learning among the participating administrations.

The first thematic session set the scene for the discussions by presenting the main challenges affecting evidence-based lawmaking and parliamentary scrutiny in the region. Mr Bagrat Tunyan of the SIGMA Programme presented key findings from the Principles of Public Administration, SIGMA regional studies and country monitoring reports. He outlined persistent challenges such as the excessive use of urgent procedures, limited use of ex ante and ex post analysis, weak co-ordination between governments and parliaments and insufficient institutional capacities to support legislative scrutiny.

A central feature of the conference is the contribution of Czech institutions. During the session dedicated to Czech experience, Mr Štěpán Pecháček from the Parliamentary Institute of the Chamber of Deputies presented the Czech approach to evidence-based lawmaking and parliamentary scrutiny. He explained the internal procedures and analytical tools used by the Czech Parliament to support scrutiny of draft legislation, highlighting the importance of research services, parliamentary analysis and stronger co-operation between committees and experts.

The conference also features significant contributions from the Government Office of the Czech Republic and the Parliamentary Institute on the second day. Mr Štěpán Růt from the Government Analytical Unit of the Government Office of the Czech Republic and Mr Martin Kuta from the Parliamentary Institute presented Czech experience in legislative planning, co-ordination and the use of “preliminary consultation” between the government and parliamentary committees before draft laws formally enter the legislative process.

The high-level panel with Secretaries General of parliaments focused on the practical difficulties parliamentary administrations face in planning, preparing and scrutinising draft laws. The panel brought together: Mr Davit Arakelyan, Secretary-General of the National Assembly of Armenia, Ms Gordana Živković, Secretary of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Boban Stanišić, Secretary-General of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr Nikola Gjoshevski, Deputy Secretary-General of the Parliament of North Macedonia and Mr Artem Yanchuk, Deputy Secretary-General of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Moderated by Ms Egle Rimkute of SIGMA, the discussion examined the growing pressures on parliaments to process increasingly complex legislation, particularly in the context of EU accession and the acquis harmonisation. Speakers highlighted challenges related to the frequent use of shortened procedures, the increasing number of laws initiated by MPs without sufficient evidence or consultation, and the limited role of parliaments in reviewing whether adopted legislation actually delivers its intended results.

The afternoon session brought together senior parliament and government officials to discuss how closer co-operation between the executive and legislative branches can improve the quality of lawmaking. The panel included: Mr Robert Vidović, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Tamara Gheorghița, Deputy Secretary-General of the Parliament of Moldova, Mr Arben Loshi, Director for Research and Analysis in the Parliament of Kosovo*, Ms Julia Çela, Director General of the European Integration Service of the Parliament of Albania, Ms Irena Vučić Popović, Deputy Secretary-General of the Government of Montenegro and Mr Saša Marković, Assistant Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Government of Serbia. Moderated by Mr Péter Vági of SIGMA, the discussion addressed how governments and parliaments can improve the exchange of data, documents and analysis, strengthen legislative planning and ensure that draft laws are accompanied by better evidence and consultation. Participants stressed that stronger co-ordination is particularly important when preparing legislation related to EU integration, where large numbers of complex laws often need to be adopted in a short timeframe.

The final session of the first day explored how the European Parliament and OECD countries use evidence and evaluation to improve the quality of laws. Mr Wolfgang Hiller, former Director for Impact Assessment and Foresight at the European Parliamentary Research Service, presented the analytical tools and support services used by the European Parliament to improve legislative quality and strengthen better regulation. Mr Franklin De Vrieze of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy discussed the importance of post-legislative scrutiny and ex post evaluation, highlighting how parliaments can use these tools to determine whether adopted laws have achieved their intended objectives. The session was moderated by Ms Nataliia Gnydiuk from GIZ.

The second day of the conference continued with discussions on better regulation, legislative planning, staff professionalisation and the use of artificial intelligence in parliamentary work. Mr Daniel Trnka, Deputy Head of the OECD Regulatory Policy Division, will present the findings of the OECD 2025 Better Regulation Practices Across the EU study and discuss how simplification and burden reduction can be advanced through stronger regulatory management.

A dedicated session on legislative planning and co-ordination included: Mr Serhii Kotsurak, Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Mr Eris Çela, Prime Minister’s Office of Albania, Mr Štěpán Růt, Government Office of the Czech Republic, Ms Lilia Dabija, Government of Moldova, Ms Anahit Stepanyan, Prime Minister’s Office of Armenia, Mr Martin Kuta, Parliamentary Institute of the Czech Republic. The session, moderated by Ms Jelena Mrdak, ReSPA Programme Manager, examined how governments can improve legislative planning and how closer co-ordination with parliaments can support better scrutiny and more effective lawmaking.

Participants also discussed the professionalisation of parliamentary staff during a session moderated by Mr Lech Marcinkowski of SIGMA, including: Ms Tetiana Topolianska, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mr Aleksandar Đorđević, National Assembly of Serbia, Ms Tatiana Malai, Parliament of Moldova, Ms Heghine Khachikyan, National Assembly of Armenia, and Ms Holta Nika, Parliament of Albania. The discussion focused on human resource management, recruitment, retention, training and safeguarding the political neutrality of parliamentary staff.

The conference concluded with a forward-looking session on the future of lawmaking and the use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in parliaments. Mr Franklin De Vrieze presented international guidelines for the use of AI in parliaments, while participating administrations shared examples of new technological tools used to support legislative drafting, analysis and oversight. The session was moderated by Mr Giulio Venneri of the European Commission.

The event concluded with closing remarks from the European Commission, the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, ReSPA, GIZ, and SIGMA, reaffirming their joint commitment to continue supporting stronger parliamentary institutions, better regulation, and evidence-based lawmaking across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood.

Are you creating transformative initiatives that improve public administration and deliver tangible benefits to citizens and businesses across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood? Then don’t wait. Step forward. Apply. Lead the change!

ReSPA and SIGMA invite public administration champions from the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Armenia to showcase their most impactful initiatives - and gain recognition that goes beyond borders.

We are looking for bold, forward-thinking, and user-focused initiatives that deliver real results through:

• Digital transformation and technological innovation
• Administrative simplification and smarter procedures
• Inclusive, user-centred public services
• Community engagement and local impact
• Data-driven and evidence-based decision-making

We want impact you can prove. Change people can feel. Results that matter!

Priority will be given to initiatives that clearly demonstrate:

• Measurable achievements and tangible outcomes
• Improved quality, accessibility, and efficiency of services
• Strong contributions to transparency, participation, inclusion, and integrity
• Innovation—especially digital and tech-driven solutions

If your work is improving lives - this is your moment. Don’t keep it quiet. Show it. Share it. Scale it.

Key Dates to Remember:

• Info Session 1: 15 April 2026 – 10 AM ZOOM LINK
• Info Session 2: 4 May 2026 – 10 AM ZOOM LINK
• Application Deadline: 30 June 2026 (23:59 CET)

Winners will receive:

• Tailored learning journeys
• Participation in peer learning events
• Trophies and certificates
• Regional visibility and recognition

Whether you’ve revolutionised digital public services, cut red tape for businesses, designed inclusive solutions for vulnerable groups, empowered citizens through community-driven governance, or modernised systems with real-life impact, this is your chance to stand out.

Be Recognised. Be Shared. Be an Inspiration!

Inspire a region. Shape the future of public administration!

Apply now – HERE   

Learn more about the PA Awards 2026 – HERE   

26 March 2026, ReSPA Premises

Director Handjiska-Trendafilova and the ReSPA team hosted a delegation of the European Commission’s DG ENEST on 26 March 2026 at ReSPA premises.

The delegation was led by Mr Thomas Hagleitner, Head of Unit A.1- Enlargement Strategy and Coordination at DG ENEST, and included Vasyl Zubaka, DG ENEST Policy Officer, and Bernard Brunet, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of European Union to Montenegro.

The meeting served as a platform for exchanging the latest developments and priorities on both sides, while also preparing the ground for the upcoming Meeting of the Ministers of Public Administration within the Berlin Process hosted by Montenegro on 21 April and ReSPA’s High-Level Ministerial Policy Dialogue planned for November 2026.

During the meeting, the ReSPA team highlighted key programmatic priorities for the coming period. Particular emphasis was placed on the further development of on-demand horizontal activities tailored to the needs of public administrations, as well as on the strengthening of the regional mobility scheme.

Thomas Hagleitner reiterated the European Commission’s strong support for ReSPA work. .

“The continued support of the European Commission is a strong endorsement of ReSPA’s mission and future direction. As we enter a new phase of our development, we remain committed to providing innovative, on-demand support to public administrations, strengthening regional mobility and creating more opportunities for cooperation and exchange. Together with the European Commission, we will continue bringing the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia closer to the shared European Administrative Space,” underlined Director Handjiska-Trendafilova.

23–27 March 2026, Paris, France

At this year’s OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum 2026, integrity was no longer discussed as just a safeguard - it emerged as a powerful driver of performance, resilience, and innovation.

Bringing together leaders from across sectors, the Forum explored how robust enforcement, smart governance, and data-driven integrity systems can do more than prevent corruption - they can enhance decision-making, strengthen trust, and unlock sustainable economic growth.

For the first time, ReSPA placed the Western Balkans firmly on the global integrity map, showcasing a region that is not only reforming - but delivering.

Under the theme: “From Public Sector Integrity to Business Sector Sustainability”, regional representatives demonstrated how integrity reforms are shaping more efficient administrations and more competitive economies.

The session featured concrete, experience-based insights from across the region:

• Duško Drakić, Director, Anti-Corruption Agency, Montenegro, highlighted how Montenegro is embedding integrity across every public institution - through systematic integrity plans, strong coordination, and measurable impact on public ethics.
• Marcela Kërëku, Director of Integrity, Oversight, Administrative and Judicial Claims, Department of Public Administration, Albania, presented Albania’s approach to integrity training, showcasing how modern learning tools and online courses are strengthening civil servants’ ethical capacities.
• Ninoslav Kekić, Deputy Director, Public Policy Secretariat, Serbia, connected the dots between administrative simplification and integrity, demonstrating how smarter procedures directly benefit the business environment.
• Pavle Radovanović,  Vice President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro,  brought in the private sector perspective, underlining what businesses truly need: transparent, efficient, and predictable public administration.

The discussion made one thing clear - integrity in the Western Balkans is no longer theoretical. It is practical, measurable, and impactful:

• Reforms that deliver real results in public administration
• Ethics embedded through training and systems, not just policies
• Administrative simplification powered by integrity principles
• Stronger investor confidence and economic growth driven by trust

The session sent a strong message to the global audience: The Western Balkans are not just catching up - they are contributing solutions.

By linking integrity with performance, innovation, and business sustainability, ReSPA demonstrated that good governance is not a constraint - it is a competitive advantage.

Integrity, when done right, doesn’t just protect systems - it transforms them.

17–18 March 2026, Belgrade, Serbia

ReSPA brought together representatives of the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood for the Digital Governance and Open Government Forum and Digital Transformation Working Group Meeting to advance regional dialogue and practical cooperation at the intersection of digital transformation, transparency, and open government.

The two-day Forum served as a policy-to-practice platform to strengthen the link between open government commitments and digital transformation reforms, and to promote the use of data, digital tools, and artificial intelligence to enhance transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and public integrity in public administration.

Policymakers, practitioners, Open Government Partnership contact points, Digital Transformation Working Group members, and international partners reflected on common priorities and exchanged experiences on building more open, inclusive, and innovative public administrations.

Mr Mauro di Veroli from the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ms Sandra Pernar (Open Government Partnership), and Ms Bojana Bajic (ReSPA) set the stage for discussions on regional digital transformation and open government priorities.

Mr Mauro di Veroli opened the Forum by highlighting the EU’s continued support to digital transformation and open government reforms in the Western Balkans, emphasising the importance of transparency, institutional capacity, and alignment with EU standards

Ms Sandra Pernar set the stage from the Open Government Partnership perspective, underscoring the critical role of open government principles in ensuring that digital transformation delivers greater accountability, citizen participation, and trust in public institutions

A keynote speaker, Mr Samo Zorc, elaborated on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and open data in modern public administration, while the keynote speaker, Mr Luukas Ilves, provided forward-looking perspectives on agentic AI and the future of digital government.

The first day, dedicated to Strategic Alignment and Policy Frameworks, focused on how open government reforms can be better aligned with digital transformation agendas. In the session “Aligning Open Government and Digital Transformation Reforms,” Mr Ales Veršić explored regional and global trends, the synergies between open government and national reforms, and links with the legal framework, while participants discussed the main challenges and opportunities in this evolving field.

Participants got acquainted with the ReSPA Programme of Work and Support, highlighting the organisation’s role in supporting public administrations in advancing digital governance and accountability.

A session on “Digitalization of Making & Monitoring Open Government Commitments”  led by Ms. Sarah Kennedy, focused on digital governance and public sector transformation, shedding the light on digital co-creation, including the use of open parliament platforms, online consultations, and e-participation tools to design more inclusive and transparent commitments, as well as digital monitoring and reporting systems that help track progress, publish updates, and strengthen accountability in implementing OGP Action Plans.

The Forum turned to open data as a foundation for transparency and participation, where Kennedy examined the transition from political commitment to institutional action, with a focus on ensuring sustainable open data publication in practice. Contributing to the session, Mr Aleš Veršić presented the Slovenian experience in data stewardship and the establishment and coordination of a network of data stewards in the public sector, while Ms Andreja Gluščević shared insights linking open data and citizen engagement. Discussions encompassed the institutional mechanisms, coordination frameworks, and the practical conditions needed to advance open data reforms across administrations.

The final session of Day 1, “Citizen Participation in the Digital Age,” featured Miloš Đinđić, Program Manager and Senior Researcher at the European Policy Centre (CEP) who addressed digital tools for active citizen participation, with particular attention to the design, functionalities, and key aspects of public consultation portals in the Western Balkans, providing a regional perspective on how technology can support more meaningful public engagement.

The second day, focused on Innovation, AI, and Practical Implementation, shifted attention from strategic alignment to concrete governance models and practical tools. A session on “Artificial Intelligence for Transparency and Public Integrity – Governance and Policy Frameworks,” led by Mr Samo Zorc, examined how AI can support transparency and integrity while requiring sound governance and clear policy safeguards.

Mr Luukas Ilves led the session “Agentic AI and Open Government: Shaping the Next Generation of Digital Governance,” exploring how AI-driven, autonomous systems can transform public administration by enabling more adaptive, proactive, and citizen-centric services, while emphasising the need for strong governance, transparency, and human oversight

Followed by the session “Artificial Intelligence for Transparency and Public Integrity - Practical Use Cases and Implementation,” delivered by Ms Sarah Kennedy, who focused on how AI can be operationalised in the public sector to support improved decision-making, monitoring, and service delivery.

A session on “Data Governance, Trust and Accountability,” led by Mr Aleš Veršić, guided participants through discussions on data stewardship and data spaces, highlighting the importance of trust, accountability, and responsible governance in the use and sharing of public-sector data.

Mr Ales Veršić and Mr Samo Zorc jointly lead the session “From Strategy to Implementation,” focusing on the framework of data strategy and the development of an action plan for open data, supporting participants in translating strategic concepts into more actionable approaches for implementation within their administrations.

The final session, “Education, Cooperation and Next Steps,” moderated by Bojana Bajić from ReSPA, explored opportunities for continued regional capacity building, stronger peer exchange through the Digital Transformation Working Group, and better use of ReSPA’s Knowledge Management Platform as a regional repository of key transparency and accountability platforms.

The Forum reaffirmed ReSPA’s commitment to supporting administrations in building digital governance systems that are not only innovative but also transparent, participatory, and accountable to citizens.

13 March 2026, Skopje, North Macedonia

The Municipality of Gjorche Petrov marked an important milestone in its quality management journey today, as Director Handjiska Trendafilova handed over the CAF “Effective User” Certificate to Mayor Aleksandar Stojkovski, recognising the municipality’s strong and sustained commitment to excellence in public administration.

The event addresses by Mayor Aleksandar Stojkovski, Director Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, Emilija Georgieva Gjoshevski, National Coordinator for Quality Management, and Thomas Prorok (KDZ Austria), who all underlined the importance of quality management as a driver of stronger institutions, better services, and greater trust between public administrations and citizens.

The certification process was conducted by ReSPA’s Regional Quality Management Centre (RQMC), confirming the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov as an institution that has demonstrated continuity, institutional maturity, and a strategic commitment to improvement.

By receiving this label, the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov joins a growing community of institutions that are transforming quality standards into concrete results for citizens. The recognition reflects not only technical achievement, but also leadership, vision, and the determination to build an administration that is transparent, accountable, and truly citizen-oriented.

As Director Handjiska Trendafilova emphasised,“This label is a public recognition of quality, transparency, and citizen-oriented administration.” Her message highlighted the broader significance of the award: every investment in quality management is also an investment in public trust, stronger governance, and more responsive institutions.

The Municipality’s ISO 9001:2015 certification, along with the completion of CAF cycles in 2016 and 2024, further confirms its long-term and systematic approach to governance reform and service delivery. These achievements demonstrate that institutional excellence is built through commitment, consistency, and the shared efforts of dedicated teams.

ReSPA extends its sincere appreciation to EFAC experts Julijana Nikolovska and Aleksandra Gichevska, as well as to Nadica Mushjan for her dedicated coordination within the Municipality. Special thanks also go to Thomas Prorok, Phili Parzer and Aleksandra Schantl from KDZ, and expert Igor Markovski for their valuable support through the BACID III project. ReSPA also warmly acknowledges Emilija Georgieva Gjoshevski, National CAF Correspondent for North Macedonia, for her important contribution to this process.

Congratulations to Mayor Aleksandar Stojkovski and the entire team of the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov for this well-deserved recognition. Their achievement stands as an inspiring example of how committed leadership and a culture of quality can help shape modern, effective, and citizen-oriented local government.