The National Institute of Public Administration and the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) jointly organised the meeting of the EIPA Board of Governors, on 6-7 June 2011, in the context of the Hungarian EU Presidency. During the two-day meeting, the exclusive guests discussed the most important recent matters and current issues of the first half of 2011. Marga Pröhl, the Director-General of EIPA, speaks about the effects of the financial crisis in the last three years, the increasing number of Board of Governors’ members, and the changing needs regarding contract activities and open market activities.

- EIPA has its 30th anniversary of establishment this year. What do you say is the role and task of the organisation today?

- Thirty years of European integration makes us very proud at EIPA. In the beginning when the Institute was newly founded, the situation was completely different: there were only a few Member States. Throughout the years, EIPA has been able to modify and adopt its services to the newer Member States as well.

EIPA is a very unique place; it is the place where European civil servants can meet, learn from each other, discuss certain problems they have and find solutions together. They receive advice at EIPA, they get explanations, and they bridge theory and practice.

- Have the economic and financial difficulties of the last few years had any effect on EIPA’s operation?

For the last three years, Europe has been in serious crisis regarding public budgets; there are cuts all across the EU countries. These unfortunately also affect the training budgets; the countries have to be very conscious of what they spend their money on.

On the other hand, in many countries the number of public servants has also had to be reduced due to budget cuts. This means that the tasks of an individual staff member are more numerous and heavier. People have to be able to cover a broader range of competencies and experience, as well as fulfilling more tasks, which is a big challenge. This is why a stronger need for training is arising nowadays.

The number of members in the Board of Governors has continuously increased since the establishment of EIPA. Does it somehow influence the policy-making of the organisation?

There are about 30 people in the board meetings nowadays – the representatives from the EIPA member countries as well as the Board members with special functions like the Chairman and Secretary-General. Owing to this, the policies of EIPA are considered from various points of view. These differ naturally, due to all countries being in different situations and having different approaches. Nevertheless, at EIPA, we have come to the conclusion that it is possible to provide a profile and a scope of activities which meet the various needs. EIPA also provides special customised services to Member States and individual institutions. EIPA always responds to members’ needs.

- How does policy-making of EIPA change regarding the continuous accession process of the EU?

- The policy of EIPA is organised by the Board of Governors. The Board consists of those countries which are active partners of EIPA and which have signed a bilateral contract of cooperation. Currently we have 23 EIPA member countries, which send representatives to the meetings.  In addition, candidate countries as well as third countries having a special relationship with the European Union can be represented on EIPA’s Board if they are ready to enter into a contractual agreement with EIPA. From that point onwards, they can have an active influence on the policy-making.

There will of course be amendments to the policy-making when these countries join the Board, because their needs will also have to be heard and respected.

- Compared to the earlier practice when the EIPA activities were mainly determined by government contracts, there is now a shift towards the open market. What is this really about?

- We have open enrolment seminars, open for registration to civil servants from all over Europe. Those seminars offer in-depth information on certain topics, practical solutions, networking as well as allowing for an exchange of experiences among colleagues from different countries.

When countries have specific wishes, needs or questions, EIPA also offers tailor-made activities. For example, Hungary benefited from particular seminars to prepare civil servants for the special challenges of the EU Presidency. EIPA covers a broad range of topics related to European integration, e.g. from public procurement, state aid, environmental changes, structural funds problems, and issues related to European public management and decision-making. Within EIPA a multinational team of experienced experts with academic and practical backgrounds develop seminar programmes, undertake applied research and offer consultancy services to public administrations in Europe. We are particularly proud that our staff is able to provide high-level academic input as well as a practical approach to problem-solving, which enables our clients to really benefit from the seminars.

- What are the current challenges facing training institutions such as EIPA: budgeting restrictions of the government or a demand from members?

- The uniqueness of EIPA stands in that it provides an opportunity for civil servants from all over Europe to learn together and to exchange experiences around the table. But now, because of the budget situation in many countries, travel costs and trainings abroad are more restricted. This leads to a decrease in participation in open enrolment activities. However, some activities are still very high in demand.

On the contrary, countries are requesting more contract activities. Ministries, organisations, agencies and EU institutions are asking EIPA to provide tailor-made training programmes in-house. So, instead of sending their staff to open enrolment seminars, they ask EIPA to come to them and provide tailor-made, customised seminars, designed to fit with their particular questions, their needs. This has become a new trend.

EIPA has to respond to these needs and we do it with pleasure; but on the other hand, it is also important not to forget about the open enrolment seminars.

They are very important as the civil servants taking part come together from all over Europe and exchange their experiences in a truly European atmosphere with their colleagues from other European countries. This is why EIPA has to take care that these types of seminars will remain attractive. European integration also needs the personal interaction of civil servants in institutions such as EIPA, where they can find information, know-how, innovation, comparative research and state of the art solutions.  In this way, it must be justified for directors to send their staff to EIPA activities.
EIPA will do its utmost to further shape its programmes so that it continues to provide successful services for governments and for EU institutions, also in the next 30 years.

(Dorottya Vannai, Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)