Exploring Smarter HR Practices: Serbian Delegation’s Study Visit to Brussels
Earlier this June, a study visit to Brussels was organized as part of the EU-funded project “Integrated Human Resources Management in Public Administration of the Republic of Serbia.” A group of 12 representatives from Serbia’s public administration took part in an inspiring exchange of knowledge and experience with peers from Belgium’s federal civil service.
The visit brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government and the Human Resource Management Service, including Assistant Ministers Ivana Savićević and Mila Stanković, as well as Dr. Danilo Rončević, Director of the HRM Service. Hosted by Belgium’s Federal Public Service for Policy and Support (BOSA), the visit offered hands-on insights into how Belgium is modernizing its approach to human resource management.
Digital Tools That Make a Difference
Over three days, the Serbian team got a firsthand look at how Belgium brings competency-based HRM to life, especially when it comes to recruitment. They saw how competence-based testing and assessment centres are applied to build a hiring process that is both fair and focused on merit.
The conversations did not stop at hiring. Together with our Belgian hosts, the group explored how performance is planned, how goals are set, and how roles are clearly defined – all in ways that support transparency, accountability, and a sense of purpose within the public administration.
One of the strongest impressions came from seeing how digital systems are integrated into everyday HR processes. The Belgian team shared several of the tools they rely on:
- Symphony, for performance management,
- SEPP, used for monitoring and planning the workforce,
- Persopoint, their central HR and payroll platform.
Participants also explored platforms such as the Career Centre and Cornerstone Learning, which support continuous learning and mobility. These systems are not just about automation; they are about making HR smarter and more responsive to real needs.
What the Serbian delegation observed in Belgium will help guide upcoming work on improving Serbia’s HRM systems. That includes strengthening competency-based frameworks, refining recruitment practices, and building digital tools that make HR processes more efficient, transparent, and data-driven.
