Across the governance and development sectors, professionals are increasingly expected to share knowledge, lead workshops, and strengthen capacity within their organisations or communities. Yet few receive the structured support needed to critically reflect on their role as trainers or facilitators.
To help close this gap, The Hague Academy for Local Governance has introduced a new open course: Training of Trainers. Designed for professionals working in public service, non-profits, and international development, the course supports participants to design and deliver training that is practical, inclusive, and grounded in local realities.
“Visualising the training as a cycle, and understanding that design responds to needs and gaps, was critical for me to understand how to adapt my training delivery in the future,”
shared Mohamed Abdiaziz Artan, a Disaster Risk Management Coach in Puntland.
This programme places action learning at the core of its methodology. Participants explore the full training cycle—from needs assessment to evaluation—through real-time practice, peer feedback, and facilitated reflection. Whether facilitating group dialogue, addressing sensitive topics, or adjusting for intercultural learning needs, participants are encouraged to test approaches and build their confidence as trainers.
Core competencies for effective trainers
The five-day course focuses on building concrete skills for effective training design and facilitation. Key learning objectives include:
- Conducting effective training needs assessments
- Designing inclusive and action-oriented training programmes
- Applying interactive adult learning techniques
- Managing group dynamics and sensitive topics
- Facilitating intercultural and conflict-sensitive sessions
- Evaluating training outcomes and improving impact
The programme concludes with a mini-master training, giving each participant the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and receive feedback in a supportive environment.
“The trainer used many different participatory methods. We never used those in my training of local communities in Puntland, and now I can deliver a different kind of training which is more interactive,”
said Mohamed Abdulkadir, Programme Manager, Somalia.
Grounded in field experience
Since 2008, The Hague Academy has delivered multi-year training of trainers programmes in a variety of governance contexts—from supporting the development of training institutes in the Middle East and North Africa, to equipping grassroots trainers in sub-Saharan Africa. These experiences shape the structure and content of this new course.
Lead trainer and governance expert, Nicolas Haezebrouck, brings over a decade of experience in organisational development, learning, and facilitation across Europe, Africa, and Asia. He has designed and delivered Training of Trainer programmes across diverse sectors, including conflict transformation, rule of law, human security, local security, inclusive governance, and decentralisation in Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey, Burundi, DRC, Mali, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sudan among others.
“Great trainers do more than teach—they inspire, adapt, and connect. Investing in their growth through Training of Trainers means turning passive learning into powerful, relevant experiences that stick and spark change.”
– Nicolas Haezebrouck, Senior Programme Manager and Trainer
Learn more about how the new Training of Trainers can support your work, help you build peer networks, and strengthen their role in supporting good governance and inclusive development.
