The training is divided into nine compulsory phases, of which phases 2, 4, 6 and 8 are full time scheduled workshops. A large part of the work is homebased.
Phases
Phase 1
Preparation (part-time, in home country)
After confirmed selection, the participants will be contacted by the management team and by a national mentor. A short presentation of the Change Project outline should be prepared for the start-up seminar.
Phase 2
Inception workshop
(in one of the participating countries, approx. 4 days)
The “Inception workshop” aims to prepare the participants for the programme, while stimulating cooperation between participants, their respective organisations and regional networks. It also provides an opportunity to explore synergies between the planned Change Project outlines and scope for collaborations.
Project design tools will be used to develop Change Project Plans. The tuition during the workshop consists of lectures with international experts, study visits and excersices / group discussions.
Phase 3
Work with the Change Project (part-time, in home country)
Back in their respective organisations the participants will continue to develop their Change Project. Participants will actively use web-based tools for interaction with mentors, facilitators and other participants.
This phase involves intense interaction among participants and their designated mentors focusing on the change projects. The participants are required to be able to work on their change projects for a minimum of 8 hours/week during this phase.
Phase 4
Follow up Workshop
(in one of the participating countries, approx. 4 days)
This workshop consists of lectures and study visits covering all the modules that address the thematic areas of the programme. This phase will take place over a period of one week. The learning process will be facilitated by a team of resource persons from academia and practitioners from relevant institutions.
Phase 5
Work with the Change Project (part-time, in home country)
Back in their respective organisations the participants will continue to develop their Change Project. Participants will actively use web-based tools for interaction with mentors, facilitators and other participants.
This phase involves intense interaction among participants and their designated mentors focusing on the change projects. The participants are required to be able to work on their change projects for a minimum of 8 hours/week during this phase.
Phase 6
Advanced training in Sweden (2 weeks)
During the training period in Sweden, participants will be exposed to Sweden’s advanced knowledge and experience of municipal management.
Tuition consists of interactive lectures and group discussions with Swedish and international experts combined with study visits, excursions, group work and discussions.
The learning process will be facilitated by a team of resource persons from academia and practitioners from relevant national and sub national institutions mainly from Sweden.
Phase 7
Work with the Change Project (part-time, in home country)
Back in their respective organisations the participants will continue to develop their Change Project. Participants will actively use web-based tools for interaction with mentors, facilitators and other participants.
This phase involves intense interaction among participants and their designated mentors focusing on the change projects. The participants are required to be able to work on their change projects for a minimum of 8 hours/week during this phase.
Phase 8
Final Workshop in Africa, location to be decided (1 week)
A final workshop will be arranged in one of the participating countries, for the participants to present their Change Project results. The workshop provides an opportunity for peer review and evaluation of the Change Project as well as implications for organizational and policy change for the sponsoring institutions and participating countries. The agenda also often includes study visits and lectures provided by ICLD and regional lecturers. This workshop marks the formal end of the programme.
Change project
Application to this ITP is done is teams, 2-3 participants (local government officials in decision making position) from the same local government.
Each team is expected to formulate and implement a so called “Change Project” as an integral part of the programme. The project should address a real issue of concern to the organization (the local government), thus contribute to translating the theoretical content of the training programme into capacity development and institutional change. An outline of the Change Project shall be submitted as part of the application and plays a key role in the selection of participants.
Teams that can show how the Change Project will make a real change within the organization, and in long term for their citizens, will have an advantage. The Change Project requires strong commitment and involvement by the participant´s organisation in terms of general support, allocation of time and budget. The project will be implemented within the 18 months of the ITP.
Please note; there is no funding available from Sida or ICLD for project implementation.