The ability to adapt to ever-changing needs: EIPA’s first 30 years

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.