Application Deadline: 31 August 2021.

If you are a local political leader in Africa, Asia or Eastern Europe, a woman and most importantly, an agent of change – this programme is for you

The 12-months training focuses on developing politicial leadership skills and is open only to women who hold an elected seat in a local government. All parts of the training are based on equity, participation, transparency and accountability, and the goal is to strengthen democracy in the organisations taking part in the training, primarily by strengthening the politician herself, as well as capacitating women politicians in general to be good role models and to get a higher involvement of underrepresented groups in decision making bodies. 

The training is implemented in cooperation with the Swedish Association of Local Authoroties and Regions (SALAR). 

The following countries are eligible for the programme: Albania, Botswana, Georgia, Indonesia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Namibia, North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The programme period: January – December 2022

Programme objectives

The programme aims to provide the following changes in the participant: 

• Empower the participant with improved leadership skills  
• Help the participant to fully utilize the power and influence of her position  
• Strengthen her as a role model to encourage political participation among marginalized groups  
• Give her access to a network of women in similar positions

During the training, the participant will work on her change process and implement a strategy to make the local authority equitable, participatory, transparent and accountable. 

Benefits:

• Valuable exchange of knowledge and experiences
• Extended regional and international networks
• Improved skills as a “change agent” in initiating and implementing instituational change
• Skills and abilities to communicate and advocate on issues of inclusive governance
• Two-day study-visit in a Swedish municipality or region
• Support to improve participation, equality, transparency and accountability in the local governance

• Advanced training in communication, strategic planning and leadership
• Swedish mentorship including an individual two-day study visit in a Swedish municipality or region
• International exposure to different political experiences
• An opportunity for your municipality to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Costs

All training costs pertaining to lectures, literature, documentation, study tours and certain social activities as well as accommodation and food will also be covered by the organiser. All international travel costs related to the programme will be covered by the programme organiser. Costs for personal expenses are not included and are the responsibility of the participant or her organisation.

VISA

Participants are responsible for obtaining all relevant visas during all scheduled parts of the programme. The costs for obtaining visas are to be borne by the participant.

Insurance

All participants are covered under a group insurance while on scheduled parts of the programme. Medical and dental checkups are not included.

Certificate

Participants who successfully complete all scheduled parts will be awarded a Certificate of completion of training.

How?

• Through skills training workshops on site or digitally
• Identification of challenges and finding solutions to issues faced by women politicians
• By offering strategic support and coaching from ICLD staff and mentors
• In sharing of professional obstacles and successes in an inclusive environment

Programme structure

The training consists of three compulsory workshops, of which all three are full time scheduled trainings. Periods between workshops are homebased. The total duration of the programme is 12 months.

When:
The Inception workshop will be held in February 2022
The Sweden Phase workshop will take place in June 2022
The Final workshop will take place in December 2022

Where:
All workshops except the Sweden Phase workshop will be held in the participating countries. The Sweden Phase workshop will be carried out in Sweden.

Phase 1: Inception workshop

(5 days including travels)

More exact location to be decided

After confirmed selection, the participants will be contacted by a programme manager at ICLD and invited to the Inception workshop.

The participants and the programme management develop a shared understanding of the content, structure, methodology and management of the programme. Topics addressed in this workshop, among others: teambuilding and networking, developing the change process, and introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals. The tuition during the inception workshop consists of group discussions and lectures with a combination of Swedish and/or international experts from the region.

The Inception workshop will be held over the course of three days in one of the participating countries.

Work with the Change Process (3 months, in home country)

Back in their respective local communities the participants will continue to develop their Change Process. Participants will actively use web-based tools for interaction with facilitators and other participants.

Phase 2: Sweden Phase workshop

(2 weeks in Sweden including travels)

Participants will meet in Sweden for a cultural exchange, advanced leadership training, introduction to Swedish women politicians/mentors and a two-day study visit to a Swedish municipality or region. Topics of study will include, among others: the Swedish model of governance, suppression techniques and countermeasures, and how to be a good role model. Tuition consists of interactive lectures and group discussions with Swedish and international experts combined with study excursions, group work and discussions.

Phase 3: Final workshop

(5 days including travels)

More exact location to be decided

The participants and the Swedish mentors meet in one of the participating countries. The goal of this workshop is to summarize and share the challenges, opportunities and
lessons learned throughout the programme. The participants will present their Change Process results. The programme also includes study visits and lectures provided by the ICLD and relevant lecturers. This workshop marks the formal end of the programme.

Learning processes

The programme employs a mixture of pedagogical methods such as lectures, group work, forum discussions, study visits and facilitated support by the assigned mentors. Support for planning, implementation and evaluation of the Change Project is mainstreamed throughout the whole programme. The number of participants is limited to 25 in order to ensure a close working relationship between participants, ICLD-staff, mentors and lecturers.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Women’s Political Leadership Programme 2021