GIZ is often described as a bridge between policy ambitions and practical implementation. In cooperation with CEF on the ToT on M&E of IPA III, where did you see this bridge-building role most clearly: in connecting policy and practice, regional and national perspectives, or technical M&E expertise with learning and facilitation skills?

I would say that this training covered all three aspects of the bridge-building role you have mentioned. The strongest bridge between policy and practice is created when knowledge can be applied and shared, which has been achieved through the creation of a pool of qualified trainers on IPA III monitoring and evaluation who will be able to train others. In addition, the ToT brought together representatives from NIPAC Offices, Ministries of Finance, and Central Finance and Contracting Units from across the Western Balkans who work with IPA funds on a daily basis. This enabled knowledge exchange from both regional and country-level perspectives, allowing participants not only to deepen their own expertise but also to become better equipped to share it with colleagues in their institutions. Finally, strengthening technical knowledge on IPA III monitoring and evaluation while developing practical training, facilitation, and mentoring skills has enabled future trainers to deliver high-quality training and support institutional learning within their organizations.

Development cooperation is facing increasing scrutiny, with governments and citizens alike asking what difference it makes in practice. How do you demonstrate the value of GIZ's work today, particularly in regions such as the Western Balkans where institutional reforms are often long-term and progress can be difficult to measure?

I think one of the most tangible ways to demonstrate the value of development cooperation is to look at what remains after an activity is completed. In the Western Balkans, where institutional reforms take time, building people’s knowledge, confidence, and ability to share what they have learned can create value beyond a single project or training. The professional connections built along the way are also an important part of this.

How do you balance regional exchange and country-specific support in your work across the Western Balkans? In your experience, in which instances does a regional approach add the most value, and when are national solutions more appropriate?

I see regional exchange and country-specific support as two sides of the same process. Regional cooperation is especially useful when countries face similar challenges and can benefit from each other’s experiences. At the same time, every country has its own institutional setting and needs, so solutions and lessons from the region need to be adapted to the national context. Regional cooperation can provide a valuable pool of experience, while country-level support allows that experience to be adapted to specific national needs.

The ToT deliberately combined IPA III monitoring, evaluation, and content with adult learning, facilitation, and knowledge-sharing methods, guidance, and good practices. Why is this combination particularly relevant for public institutions today? What unique contribution did the cooperation with CEF bring compared to more conventional technical training?

For public institutions, having technical knowledge is necessary, but being able to transfer and apply that knowledge within an organization is equally important. The ToT showed how important it is to combine what people need to know with how they can effectively share that knowledge with others. The combination of technical knowledge with adult-learning methodologies used in the ToT helped participants develop both dimensions: strengthening their understanding of IPA III monitoring and evaluation while also building practical skills to facilitate learning and share knowledge with others. The cooperation with CEF was particularly valuable in bringing these two dimensions together and preparing participants for their future role as trainers.

If you were to look ahead five years, what developments or trends do you think will have the greatest impact on public sector modernization and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans?

Looking ahead, I expect digitalization, stronger use of data, and continued professional development to have an important impact on public sector modernization. At the same time, regional cooperation will continue to play an important role, particularly in creating opportunities to exchange practical experiences and solutions where institutions face similar challenges. The ability of institutions to learn from each other and adapt good practices to their own context will remain valuable for the region. I believe that combining national reform efforts with structured regional exchange can contribute to stronger and more connected public administrations in the Western Balkans.