Sustainable development is driven by local governments that are responsive to the needs of their citizens and willing to involve them in their decision-making processes. To make that work, citizens need to feel empowered to make their voices heard and cooperate effectively with the authorities.
This course is based on four pillars: participation, inclusion, social accountability and innovation. It discusses concrete examples of innovative strategies to promote transparent, participatory, inclusive and accountable governance. We will examine different communication tools and consider the importance of managing the expectations of citizens, community organisations and other stakeholders. Special attention is given to ensuring all voices are heard, including women, youth and people with disabilities. Furthermore, we will explore how information technologies can ensure greater accountability and transparency within government and facilitate meaningful participation.
Through a blend of classroom insights and hands-on site visits, I witnessed the power of engagement firsthand. Now, equipped with the tools of community led public place making, gender inclusive governance and open data collection, I proudly apply this knowledge in my daily endeavours” Grateful for the enriching experience, I stand as a testament to the Academy’s commitment to shaping leaders for a more inclusive future.
The Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance course is designed for professionals working on participation, inclusion and social accountability processes. We encourage participants from national, regional and local governments, NGOs and donor and development organisations to apply.
After this course, you will receive a professional certificate of completion from The Hague Academy for Local Governance.
*Professionals working in local government or for local NGOs on the DAC list of ODA-recipient countries (OECD) may qualify for a reduced course fee. Contact us for details.
This course will help you:
Experts that are involved in this course:
Participants will be introduced to a diversity of practical and innovative tools to advance citizen participation at the local level. Exchanges of experiences and case-studies will test the applicability of tools to their own context during interactive exercises and debates.
A visit to the Schilderswijk in The Hague invites participants to think about the interaction between local government and citizens in public placemaking initiatives, and the collaboration towards joint solutions.
During a study visits to the Municipal Office of The Hague, participants are introduced to a variety of participatory methods used by the Municipality to involve citizens and partners in their activities, and what citizen participation looks like at a neighbourhood level. Participants also visit two community initiatives in Utrecht, focused on self-governance and open data.
Lastly, a visit to the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will give participants insights into how public participation is organised on a national level in the Netherlands.
Find the practical information for the course here.
After submitting your completed application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. Once we have assessed your application and admitted you to the course, we will send you an invoice with payment details.
Payments can be made by bank transfer or by PayPal request. We also offer the option of paying in one or two instalments. An advance payment of 50% secures the reservation of a seat at the training until the payment deadline. However, your participation in the course is guaranteed only after receipt of full payment.
Please note that The Hague Academy accepts registrations on a first-paid, first-served policy.
Some countries require a visa to enter the Netherlands. Please check with The Netherlands or the embassy for the visa requirements related to your country. Because of the length of time needed for the visa procedure, we advise you to start this process as soon as possible. Once we have received your payment for the course, The Hague Academy will send you an acceptance letter which will assist you in arranging your visa to The Netherlands.
Under certain circumstances, participants may need to cancel their participation in the course. For cancellations before the payment deadline, we will reimburse the paid amounts minus an administration fee of €350.
To prevent late cancellation, we strongly encourage you to start with your visa application procedure at least six weeks before the start of the training programme.
We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the course fee for participants cancelling between four and two weeks prior to the start of the training. If you cancel your participation within the two-week period before the start of the course, then you have to pay 80% of the course fee.
No-show will result in paying 100% of the course fee.
It is always possible to nominate a suitably qualified candidate to replace you without extra charge, in the event that you cannot attend the course.
The Hague Academy for Local Governance reserves the right to cancel a course if the number of participants is insufficient or due to any other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, your payment will be 100% reimbursed. Other costs such as transportation or hotel cannot be reimbursed.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers MSP scholarships for training courses in the Netherlands. The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) aims to enhance the skills, instincts, and abilities of professionals, empowering their organizations and communities to thrive in an ever-changing world.
For more information and eligibility criteria, please visit our Scholarships page. Note that scholarships have a separate application process.
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