Training of Trainers “CEI support to Training and Research to Unlock and Enhance the potential of sustainable BLUE Economy for regional cooperation and EU integration - TRUE BLUE”
Background
The European Union considers the sustainable blue economy as a fundamental component of the Green Deal, building on clear and ambitious objectives such as ensuring the sustainability of the blue economy sectors, moving towards a circular economy and protecting biodiversity and ecosystems. Neighboring countries of the EU, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, need to receive know-how support to prepare for the green transition, strengthening the relevant governmental institutions to meet this challenge, including by upskilling their public administration’s officials on this topic. It is essential to join efforts to create synergies in these countries among public administrations in charge of policy elaboration and decision making on sustainable blue economy, and to equip them with the necessary "blue skills”, especially in the following sectors: a) marine spatial planning (MSP) b) fisheries and aquaculture c) coastal and maritime tourism d) shipping and ports. In this context, universities and research centers have a strong potential as a hub to enhance cooperation among stakeholders, to respond to the real needs of local governments, by identifying problems and recommending appropriate solutions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania have similar needs in terms of know-how transfer on sustainable blue economy. Science diplomacy can be used as a key tool to promote cooperation among these countries, through training and capacity-building activities on sustainable blue economy for key actors of public administrations, to equip them with the necessary upskilling to support these countries in the path towards EU integration.
The TRUE BLUE project, led by the OGS, aims to further science diplomacy through capacity building activities to transfer knowledge to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania to support their advancement towards EU integration, promoting regional cooperation. The actions of the project respond to the common and specific needs of these countries in terms of know-how transfer on sustainable blue economy, a field in which Italy, Croatia and Slovenia demonstrate strong-rooted experience.
In order to achieve the multiplier effect, the TRUE BLUE project organizes this Training of Trainers course, implemented by OGS, EMUNI and IOR, to upskill key public administration officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania, who are in the position to transfer knowledge to their colleagues, boosting institutional capacity of their countries to effectively respond to the current challenges of the green transition, focusing on the main EU policies and strategies to achieve sustainable blue economy.
Specific objectives of the training of trainers course are:
- Capacity-building: upskilling public administration officers’ to effectively respond to the current challenges of the green transition with particular focus on the sustainable blue economy in the perspective of EU integration
- Good Governance: equipping key actors of public administrations in the beneficiary countries with a methodology and complementary tools to develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy (greening the blue)
- Science Diplomacy: furthering cooperation at regional level among experts and institutions in the beneficiary countries working in public administrations on sustainable blue economy to plan joint activities at regional level
Dates of the training: 10-14 June 2024
Application deadline: 24th of March 12 PM (CET)
Target trainees
The Training of Trainers course is addressed to public administration officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, possibly involved with sustainable blue economy topics. Participants will be selected on the following main criteria: gender balance; ability to transfer knowledge to their institutions; role in their institution in decision-making to maximize the project impact.
Candidates must fulfill the following conditions:
- Work as public administrations officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania
- Having knowledge of English (level B2 or higher)
- A demonstrated interest in topics related to sustainable blue economy.
Dates of the training: 10 - 14 June 2024
Location of the training: Trieste (Italy) and Piran (Slovenia)
Application deadline: 24th of March 12 PM (CET)
Application form
Link
Format
The training will be organized in presence both in Trieste and in Piran, in the form of lectures, field trips and interactive activities. Further information on the agenda will be provided after the selection process.
Themes and training approach
Themes will tackle key sustainable blue economy topics in the perspective of advancing towards EU standards and policies. The courses will include: interactive sessions; practical examples; case studies; sharing of best practices; methodology to transfer knowledge to public administrations; science diplomacy; soft skills and innovative teaching methods.
Fees and costs
15 participants will be selected to participate in the Training of Trainers course in Piran and Trieste. No registration fees are requested and expenses including training materials, field trip, travel and accommodation costs are covered by the organizers. Any other cost, including visa and health insurance and related costs, will be covered by the selected participant.
All participants need to arrange valid visas and insurances, if needed. We are able to assist with issuing a letter of acceptance but do not manage visa procedures, nor cover the costs for granting visas or insurances.
Organisation and funding acknowledgment
Availability of funding schemes for the participants: selected candidates will be financially supported by the organizations through existing financial schemes:
- The project is co-financed by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS through the support of International Cooperation and Research Promotion - ICAP
- The project is co-financed by the Central European Initiative through the Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP), which is an instrument supporting projects and programmes focused on the transfer of know-how and best practices from EU to non-EU CEI Member States. By co‐financing capacity building and technical assistance projects, the KEP offers grants to institutions willing to share their experience with their partners, thus helping non-members to advance on their path towards EU standards and policies. The KEP operates through calls for proposals with funding made available by Italy through the CEI Fund at the EBRD.
- This project is financed with the contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic. The content of this document represents the views of its authors and in no way represents the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Personal data
Data will be managed according to the privacy policy available at this link.
Dates of the training: 10 - 14 June 2024
Location of the training: Trieste (Italy) and Piran (Slovenia)
Application deadline: 24th of March 12 PM (CET)
Application form
Link