Application Deadline: 25 February, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Swedish Institute (SI) Global Executive Programme . The SI Global Executive Programme nurtures forward-thinking business executives seeking to shape a future that is not only economically resilient but socially and ecologically sustainable. It stands as a testament to Sweden’s excellence in pioneering sustainable solutions and serves as a conduit for sharing the country’s rich legacy of sustainable business practices with the rest of the world.
The Programme is designed for senior executives, including CEOs and top corporate managers and tailored to help integrate sustainability into the very fabric of a business, elevating it from mere initiative to core strategic imperative. Participants are offered invaluable insights from a key forefront in the global sustainability movement.
Programme Details
Online with a one-week onsite module in Sweden
The SI Global Executive Programme is scheduled to take place from May to November 2025, featuring online sessions throughout its entire duration. Additionally, there will be a one-week onsite module in Sweden. The programme includes interactive workshops, lectures and coaching, as well as meetings with representatives from various companies and organisations in Sweden. More than a series of one-way lectures, the programme is a challenging and interactive experience that requires participants to actively engage and contribute.
Designed with an understanding of the time constraints faced by top-level executives, the programme is intended to seamlessly integrate into participants’ existing responsibilities, providing practical solutions that can be readily applied within your organisation.
The SI Global Executive Programme will give you the following:
- Advanced understanding of social, ecological and economic sustainability within planetary boundaries – from a business perspective
- Increased expertise in utilising and implementing methods for strategic business development within sustainability and the green transition – from a systemic perspective
- Strengthened capabilities and skills to lead change and effectively manage complexity
- Unique insights from a variety of business cases for sustainability in Sweden, which is recognised as one of the leading countries in sustainable business practices
- Facilitation and guidance by experts in the field that support your own personal development and the development of your business
- A unique opportunity for close collaboration and exchange with colleagues at senior levels, fostering a strong and enduring global professional network
- Opportunity to meet and connect with Swedish businesses and organisations
- Access to the global Swedish Institute Alumni Network, which includes over 20 000 leaders dedicated to leadership and sustainability
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants to the SI Global Executive Programme must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen and resident of one of our programme countries: Bangladesh, Brazil. China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Georgia, DR Congo, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine*, or Vietnam.
*Ukrainian applicants who reside outside of Ukraine are also eligible to apply. - Have a leadership position, such as CEO or senior executive, in a medium to large company with a mandate to spearhead strategic changes throughout their business.
- Be at least 30 years old (born 1995 at the latest).
- Have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
- Hold a completed post-secondary qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Be willing to actively participate, provide support and share their experience and knowledge with other participants.
- Have identified business needs or problems that could be worked on during the programme to help their company improve its contribution to a more sustainable world.
An applicant’s company should also meet the following requirements:
- Be locally owned and based in one of the programme countries.
- Operate within industries associated with the green transition or about to make important commitments related to the green transition, such as industries within renewable energy, responsible mining, sustainable transportation, manufacturing and infrastructure.
- Be committed to running a business in a sustainable manner and implementing sustainable practices within the organisation.
Logistics
- Participation in SI Global Executive Programme is free of charge.
- However, participants and/or their companies need to arrange and pay for their flights to and from Sweden, for the Sweden week onsite visit.
- There will be a stipend for participants who are not able to/cannot afford to pay for the tickets themselves.
The SI Global Executive Programme has five main components:
Foundation (May – June)
Foundation sessions are conducted online in both large and small group formats (organised by region, sectors and randomly mixed) and include coaching and exploring the latest developments within the field of sustainability in business and the green transition. These sessions aim to equip participants with the tools and support to further enhance their change-leadership skills and begin working on their strategic business project. It actively connects the participants in a strategic and meaningful global network.
Strategic business project (June – October)
Each participant is asked to identify a challenge or opportunity relevant to their role or based on their organisation’s overall business needs and current approaches to sustainability. Participants receive support in applying newfound knowledge, ideas and inspiration gained through the programme. The goal of the strategic business project is to develop real and measurable results that help participants learn by doing while launching or managing change initiatives that can continue after the programme ends. Participants are coached to challenge themselves in choosing a project that, at minimum, delivers an ROI for their participation in the programme.
Masterclasses, online (August – October)
A variety of tailored high-quality masterclasses are provided to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in relation to their areas of interest and specific needs while they work on their strategic business project. Participation in Masterclasses is exclusive to participants who successfully complete the programme’s previous components.
Sweden week, onsite (13 – 17 October, excluding travel days)
This onsite experience offers a unique opportunity to network with peers in a global setting and engage with Swedish business leaders and experts. It features field visits, workshops and chances to explore Swedish culture and local nature. This experience aims to strengthen participants’ change leadership skills and help them refine their strategic business project. Participation in Sweden week is exclusive to participants who have successfully completed the programme’s previous components.
Way forward, online (November)
In the SI Global Executive Programme’s final component, participants put their strategic business projects into action. They share their expertise and skills with colleagues and stakeholders, celebrate early wins and establish strong relationships within a global network of sustainability leaders and through the Swedish embassy in their home country.
Application Timeline:
- Early May – End of June: Online sessions, Foundation
- May – Mid-October: Strategic Business Project
- August – October: Online sessions, Masterclasses
- October: Onsite experience in Sweden (13 – 17 October, excluding travel days)
- November: Final online sessions; Way forward
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Swedish Institute (SI) Global Executive Programme
