The publication comes at a time when trust in public institutions is declining across Europe, while complexity and change continue to shape the operating environment. Building on the earlier publication “How Public Institutions Can Become Learning Organizations”, this publication sets out concrete steps for public institutions that want to respond more effectively to complexity, uncertainty, and declining public trust. It draws on more than 15 years of the CEF’s experience in supporting public officials’ learning, including work with over 13,000 public officials from more than 100 institutions across South East and East Europe.

The publication shows how learning organizations:

• Strengthen institutional resilience and adaptability
• Empower public officials as confident, networked leaders of ideas, people, and reforms
• Support teams in working collaboratively and delivering results anchored in institutional values
• Translate knowledge into better policy outcomes and improved public trust

Anchored in the CEF’s Strategic Direction toward 2029, the publication encourages leaders to foster environments where continuous learning, collaboration, and systems thinking are part of everyday practice. “As we look ahead, let’s keep this in mind: the mandate of an institution is not fulfilled by systems and processes alone. It is brought to life by people with courage and commitment. By teams who believe in their mission. By leaders who invest in learning. By institutions that dare to evolve. Together, let’s continue sailing forward – through the waves of complexity, toward the horizon of opportunity. Let us empower institutions not just to reform, but to thrive,” says Jana Repanšek, CEF Director.

The publication is available for download here.