As part of the project “Implementation and Enforcement Challenges of European Law on Selected Institutes in the Croatian Legal System IPIE” (581-UNIOS-88), on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Hall 1 at the Rectorate of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, a workshop intended for the students of the Faculty of Law Osijek was held by Jelena Dujmović Bocka, PhD, Associate Professor.
Within the framework of the workshop, students were provided with an overview of the core values of the European Administrative Space, including the principles of legality, openness and transparency, accountability, efficiency, proportionality, participation, and compliance in the operations of public administration. Through an interactive approach, the analysis of examples of best practices, and a discussion on current challenges, the participants acquired practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to understand and apply European administrative principles and standards within the national context. Special emphasis was placed on the modernization of public administration, values in public administration, the development of administrative competencies, European youth policy, European standards of administrative procedures, and the importance of adapting to contemporary European management trends and the digitalization of public services.
The workshop provided a space for the exchange of experiences, the development of critical thinking, and the strengthening of the professional capacities of the participants in the field of public administration and public policy. The very goal of the workshop was achieved: to introduce students to the fundamental European principles, standards, and practices of good governance and their application in the Croatian public administration system, as well as its purpose: the workshop empowered students to understand and apply European
administrative principles and standards in their future work and decision-making processes. Through a theoretical and practical approach, students gained insight into the importance of: the legality and transparency of public administration operations, the accountability of public administration, the efficient management of public resources, the quality of public services, and the alignment of national administrative practices with European values, principles, and standards. Upon completion of the workshop, the students were able, through the assigned tasks and the implementation of a quiz, divided into groups: to explain the core principles and standards of the European Administrative Space and good governance, to recognize key European principles and standards relevant to the Croatian public administration, to analyze challenges and opportunities of applying European administrative principles and standards in practice, to apply the principles of openness and transparency, accountability, efficiency, proportionality, participation, and compliance in the operations of public administration, to understand the importance of the professionalization and modernization of public administration, to propose measures for improving the quality of public services in accordance with European principles and standards, to develop a critical approach to change management in public administration.
