SKOPJE – The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community organised the IPA Auditors’ Training in Skopje from 29 June to 1 July 2026, bringing together railway professionals from the Western Balkans for three days of learning, peer exchange and hands-on exercises.
The training focused on helping railway authorities carry out stronger, clearer and more effective audits. This matters because good audits help improve railway safety, strengthen oversight and ensure that rules are applied properly in practice.
Over the three days, participants worked on the main steps of the auditing process, from planning and collecting evidence to analysing findings and preparing recommendations. The programme also covered monitoring of National Safety Authorities, peer reviews of National Investigation Bodies and the role of monitoring in railway interoperability.
Through group exercises, participants had the opportunity to test auditing techniques, exchange experience and apply what they learned to real-life situations.
The training concluded with a technical visit to MR Transport JSC, allowing participants to see how procedures and principles discussed during the training are applied in a real railway environment.
By strengthening auditing skills and encouraging cooperation among railway safety and interoperability stakeholders, the training supports better oversight, safer railways and closer alignment with EU railway standards across the region.
