Implementation of the project “Improvement of qualifications of Lithuanian civil servants representing Lithuania’s interests in the EU” Renata Pakalnytė Project Coordinator, ESTEP

Consortium of ESTEP and IIRPS ESTEP – one of the leading consulting companies in Lithuania, actively working since 2004 when Lithuania joined the EU. ESTEP provides the following services to public authorities: evaluation of EU support programmes governance improvement public policy analysis administrative capacity building advice on EU and European integration issues The Civil Service Department included ESTEP in the list of legal entities qualified to provide training services to civil servants

Consortium of ESTEP and IIRPS VU IIRPS – one of the most prominent institutions of social sciences in Central Eastern Europe and the Baltic region Teaching – specialising in social and political sciences; three- level studies: BA, MA and PhD studies Research – leading social science research centre in the Baltic States Consulting – expertise on national, European and international politics Since 2003, IIRPS has been providing qualification improvement services to civil servants

Purpose of the project The project aims to improve knowledge of Lithuanian civil servants representing Lithuania's interests on the EU, develop capacities related to the proper representation of Lithuania's interests in the EU

Target groups of the project TG 2.1 – future chairpersons of the EU Council working groups, deputies thereof, heads of EU coordination units TG 2.2 – other representatives participating in the activities of EU institutions TG 2.3 – persons participating in the drafting of positions of the Republic of Lithuania (as well as those employed in EU coordination units)

Scope of the project Impact Assessment of EU Legislation, TG 2.1 (in EN) Impact Assessment of EU Legislation, TG 2.2 (in LT) Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities, TG 2.1 Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities, TG 2.2 EU Decision-Making, Policy, Impact Assessment of EU Legislation and Negotiations, TG 2.3 In total, 117 training sessions will be organised / 193 training days delivered / 1,200 civil servants trained during the 16-month project

Groups that had training: Impact Assessment of EU Legislation TG 2.1 (in EN): 4 of 10 Impact Assessment of EU Legislation TG 2.2 (in LT): 27 of 27 Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities TG 2.1: 17 of 20 Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities TG 2.2: 25 of 27 EU Decision-Making, Policy, Impact Assessment of EU Legislation and Negotiations TG 2.3: 24 of 33

Participants who had training: Impact Assessment of EU Legislation (in Lithuanian), TG 2.2. Impact Assessment of EU Legislation, (in English), TG 2.1.

Participants who underwent training: Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities, TG 2.1. Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities, TG 2.2.

Participants who underwent training: EU Decision-Making, Policy, Impact Assessment of EU Legislation and Negotiations, TG 2.3.

Quality assurance and quality control Based on the following criteria: Course evaluation questionnaires Knowledge tests prior and after the training session Feedback from participants (and lecturers)

Overall evaluation of the training Participants’ opinion: answers to the question if the course was well conceived

Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities, TG 2.1: assessment of the overall perceived quality of training sessions

Lithuania's European Policy Development Process and Lithuania's European Policy Priorities, TG 2.2: assessment of the overall perceived quality of training sessions

Impact Assessment of EU legislation, TG 2.2. (in LT): assessment of the overall perceived quality of training sessions

Impact Assessment of EU legislation, TG 2.1. (in EN): assessment of the overall perceived quality of training sessions Feedback from the participants: More practical information/too much of general information Too much information and cases about Ireland and not enough about Lithuania and the EU Not enough information on the Presidency of the Council Groups could be smaller Lecturer speaks very fast

EU Decision-Making, Policy, Impact Assessment of EU Legislation and Negotiations, TG 2.3: assessment of the overall perceived quality of training sessions

Average number of mistakes made prior and after the training sessions

Current challenges Project “Training services in Lithuanian and English for the Improvement of Qualifications Required by Lithuanian Civil Servants and Politicians for Representation in the EU and EU Presidency” Consortium: ENA-ESTEP-VU IIRPS Training on: Decision making in the EU - TG1, TG2.1 and TG2.2 Legal and Institutional System of the EU - TG2.1 and TG2.2 Sectoral Policies in the EU - TG2.1 and TG2.2 Negotiations and Intercultural communication in the EU - TG2.1 and TG training sessions / 399 training days to be delivered / 765 civil servants to be trained in January–August 2012

Positive impact What will Lithuania get from the EU Presidency? One of the most positive impact of the Lithuanian EU Presidency is strengthened civil service in Lithuania, namely the improved qualification of Lithuanian civil servants However, the continuity will be important - the same people working on the Presidency issues maintained after the elections; the same EU affairs coordination system maintained.

Thank you!