EIPA International Training Session Featuring Experts from CEUTP: On Partnership and Effective Public Participation

How can we effectively engage people and institutions and build partnerships in the implementation of public investments? These issues were the focus of the international training session “Strengthening Multilevel Governance, Partnership, and Citizen Engagement in the NRP Plans,” which took place online on September 8–11, 2026.

The following speakers, who were invited to participate, shared their experiences in this area: Karolina Ptaszyńska, head of the Partnership Projects Department, and Ewa Paderewska, head of the Environmental Protection Department.

The training focused on practical ways to strengthen cooperation between different levels of government, implement the principle of partnership, and engage the public in the development and implementation of public programs. The training was organized by the Central Project Management Agency, a Lithuanian intermediary body for European Union funds, and the European Institute of Public Administration, an organization that provides training on EU policies. The event was held on behalf of DG REGIO (European Commission). The meeting focused on the design and implementation of National and Regional Partnership Plans, which will serve as a new financial instrument under the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034.

Karolina Ptaszyńska presented methods for building partnerships and managing stakeholder engagement. In her presentation, she combined three perspectives drawn from CEUTP’s experiences: the implementation of the FEnIKS program, collaboration on the Polish-Ukrainian “Solidarity Lanes” projects, and participation in the “DG REGIO Peer2Peer Communities” expert network.

Ewa Paderewska focused on the role of public participation in the preparation and implementation of projects. She discussed practical methods for engaging residents and other stakeholders at various stages of the investment process and presented solutions that allow for better consideration of the needs of different social groups. This makes it possible to make more informed decisions and build greater public acceptance for the investment.

The theoretical portion was supplemented by workshops based on specific examples and experiences gained during many years of work at CEUTP.

The participation of CEUTP experts provided another opportunity to present Polish experiences and best practices on an international forum. It also reaffirmed CEUTP’s position as an expert in the areas of partnership-building and civic participation, as well as recognition of the institution’s knowledge and experience in these fields.