HR Workshop 5.0: Empowering Ukraine’s Public‑Sector HR Leaders

In mid‑July, the fifth round of the HR Workshop began, bringing together 35 HR professionals from national and local public institutions across Ukraine. Over the next three months, participants will take part in a hands-on, practice-focused training programme aimed at strengthening HR capacity in the civil service. The course is delivered as part of the EU-funded EU4PAR 2 project, in cooperation with NAUCS, the Reform Support Team at the Ministry of Economy, and the Higher School of Public Governance. As part of the programme, participants will receive a certificate of completion, as well as 2.2 ECTS credits under Ukraine’s official advanced training system.

Built around five two‑day modules, the programme blends live online sessions with mentoring and hands‑on assignments. Alongside the core content (HR strategy, performance management, analytics, stakeholder engagement etc.), participants also take part in short webinars covering timely topics like civil service competitions, cybersecurity awareness, and conflict management – all designed to support real change inside public institutions.

The admission process was competitive as out of 95 initial applicants, 35 made it through technical screening, motivational essays, and phone interviews. Each participant will design an institution‑specific HR project during the course, guided by seasoned mentors from the public and private sectors. Upon completion, they will receive a certificate that reflects both their academic effort and the tangible real-world impact.

Programmes like the HR Workshop matter because they support the people doing the everyday work of strengthening public institutions. Reform does not happen in theory, it happens when committed professionals apply new ideas in real settings, often under difficult conditions. This training is just one step, but it equips participants with practical tools, a support network, and the confidence to lead change from within.

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.