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Stronger Support for Local Government Training Initiatives

Efforts to strengthen professional development across Serbia’s local administrations gained new momentum this week as the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, with support from the European Union and the Council of Europe, convened a high-level workshop dedicated to sector-specific training for local government employees.

The introductory workshop, titled “Sector-Specific Professional Development of Employees in Local Self-Government Units,” was held on 15 May 2026 as part of the EU and Council of Europe-backed project “Human Resource Management in Local Self-Government – Phase 3,” implemented by the Council of Europe’s Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance.

Representatives from the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, and the Ministry for Family Welfare and Demography attended the event, where officials outlined key steps for identifying training needs and developing specialised professional development programmes for employees in local self-government units.

The Ministry also presented plans for the adoption and implementation of sector-specific training programmes in areas where ministries oversee delegated responsibilities, with further support to be provided through the ongoing project.

A central focus of the workshop was the presentation of newly developed Guidelines for the Adoption and Implementation of Sector-Specific Training Programmes for Employees in Local Self-Government Units. The document is designed to strengthen the capacities of institutions responsible for creating and delivering targeted training programmes across the local government sector.

The guidelines were developed by the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government with the support of the EU/Council of Europe project, aiming to enhance the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of professional development within local administrations nationwide.

Belgrade 15 May 2026
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The project “Human Resources Management in Local Self-Government – phase 3” builds on previous efforts to modernise human resource management in Serbian local self-governments. It aims to strengthen the human resources management and professional development at the local level while supporting public administration reforms.

 

What is the goal and objective of the action?

The project seeks to consolidate the results of the first two phases aiming to advance the public administration reform in Serbia, notably through modernising human resource management and professional development of public servants at the local level.

 Funding: The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe

 Duration of the project: 3 February 2025 – 2 November 2027

The Project is implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

 

Who benefits from the action?

•             Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Governments

•             Local Self-Governments in Serbia

•             National Academy for Public Administration

•             Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities            

•             Civil society, academic community, media, Serbian citizens

 

How does the action work?

The HRM in LSG III project implementation methodology is based on capacity building actions, technical assistance to the beneficiaries at the national and local level, know-how of the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance of the CoE, use of tools developed under the previous project phases (in close partnership with Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities in Serbia - SCTM) and networking activities with the CoE member States. Special attention will be given to peer learning, exchange of good practice, strengthening of HRM networks, locally and internationally, as well as raising the visibility of key HRM reforms.

 

What do we expect to achieve?

  • MPALSG has an improved framework, and LSGs have increased capacities to deliver effective HRM and professional development functions and planning at local level.

  • MPALSG has strengthened capacities and an improved framework to coordinate effective professional development and lifelong learning of public servants.

  • Improved effectiveness and efficiency in coordination, harmonisation and communication between institutions for HRM and professional development.

 

Reference documents

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