Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS) and the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 13, 2025, marking a new stage in their collaboration to advance professional training, good governance, and capacity-building across the Western Balkans.
The signing ceremony, held on the Ludovika Campus in Budapest, was attended by Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, Director of ReSPA, and Ivana Petričević, Adviser at ReSPA, alongside Vice-Rector László Szegedi, Dean Réka Varga, Vice-Dean Péter Krisztián Zachar from the university leadership, as well as Professor of Practice Csaba Zalai, one of the initiators of the MoU. The agreement was signed on the eve of the VII. Balkan Conference, symbolically underscoring the shared commitment to stability, knowledge exchange, and European integration in the region.
In his welcome remarks Vice-Rector László Szegedi emphasized that this new agreement provides a structured framework for cooperation in several key areas — including joint research projects, executive training programmes, academic exchanges, and professional networking.
“By working together, Ludovika and ReSPA can combine their strengths — Hungarian expertise in public service training and digital learning, and ReSPA’s regional experience and network — to support administrative reform and capacity building in the Western Balkans within a broader European framework,” the Vice-Rector highlighted.
In her answer-speech, Director Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova underlined that ReSPA, established in 2006 serves as a regional platform for collaboration among the Western Balkan public administrations. Its mission is to enhance governance quality, support evidence-based policymaking, and prepare member states for EU integration through professional development and knowledge-sharing initiatives. ReSPA’s members include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with Kosovo as a beneficiary.
Within this partnership, the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies will play a central role, leveraging its academic expertise, international networks, and executive education experience to design and deliver high-quality programmes. The Faculty acts as a bridge between academic research, policy development, and administrative practice — a key asset for fostering dialogue between experts and decision-makers in the region.
Under the newly signed MoU, the two institutions will cooperate on a wide range of activities, including: organizing joint conferences, seminars, and workshops for civil servants from Hungary and the Western Balkans; exchanging expertise, publications, and training resources; developing joint educational programmes and research projects; facilitating faculty mobility; collaborating on policy briefs, studies, and joint publications; exploring opportunities for EU-funded capacity-building initiatives. The agreement also encourages the establishment of communities of practice, promoting long-term professional cooperation among practitioners, researchers, and educators in public administration.
The partnership builds on several successful joint activities. In 2024, Ludovika hosted a ReSPA study visit of 20 regional policy experts, providing insight into Hungary’s public administration reforms and leadership development model. Earlier in 2025, Genti Xhaxhiu, ReSPA’s Director of Legal Affairs and Programmes, participated in the Ludovika Festival, further strengthening institutional ties.
The new Memorandum reflects a shared belief that strong, professional, and ethical public administration is the cornerstone of regional stability and European integration. By combining academic excellence with policy relevance, Ludovika and ReSPA aim to create new learning opportunities and promote governance innovation across the Western Balkans.
“Our common goal is clear: to support professional excellence in public administration, share valuable knowledge, and foster stronger connections among institutions in our region,” concluded Dean Réka Varga in the discussion. The partnership will be further highlighted during the VII. Balkan Conference, taking place on November 14, 2025, at the Ludovika Campus, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss “Stability and Change in the Balkans.”
Text: FPGIS International Department