Deadline: 12 May 2016
The Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) International Training Programme (ITP) is organizing the training on ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment’. The Part 1 of this training will be held from 31 October – 18 November, 2016 in Göteborg and Stockholm, Sweden and the Part 2 training in May-June, 2017 in one of the participating countries.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will serve as a tool for analysis of environmental impacts and the integration of environmental considerations in strategic planning and decision making. The programme aims at contributing to sustainable development, by supporting capacity building in Strategic Environmental Assessment and integrating environment in strategic planning, decision making and implementation initiated or promoted by the participants.
Additionally, this particular SEA programme has an energy focus, specifically targetting participants from organisations and agencies within the energy sector.
The programme offers support for your organisation to strengthen, adapt and maintain capacity to implement SEA. Participants will take part of the latest developments in SEA, supported by Swedish experts and resource persons. They will also develop a network of colleagues from Sweden and other countries, and enhance knowledge about new working methods.
The programme is organised by Niras Natura AB in collaboration with the Centre for Environment and Sustainability (GMV) at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology.
Duration
- Part 1: 31 October – 18 November, 2016
- Part 2: May-June, 2017
Location
- Part 1: Göteborg and Stockholm, Sweden
- Part 2: To be decided
Target Region
Africa
Programme Objectives
- The objective of the programme is to strengthen SEA capacity in the participants’ organisations. The programme will support each participant in initiating and developing an “SEA project” that will strengthen the use of SEA in planning processes that she/he is involved in.
- In the long term, the programme goal is to increase the integration of environmental and sustainability considerations into planning and decision-making processes in the participants’ countries. The sustainability perspective on SEA addresses the interlinking of social, ecological and economic aspects, including aspects of poverty alleviation and the rights of the poor.
Eligible Countries
This training programme has a regional focus. The following countries are invited to nominate candidates:
Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia.
What participants will gain?
- Increased knowledge of different approaches to environmental assessments of policies, plans and programmes (SEA)
- Increased knowledge of methods and tools for integrating SEA with strategic planning and decision making
- Increased knowledge of international experiences of development regulations, guidance and procedures for implementing SEA in practice
- Increased understanding of the importance of transparency, access to information and public participation in planning
- Improved skills as a “change agent” in initiating and implementing organisational change
- Strengthened international, regional and national networks in the field of SEA
Eligibility Criteria (Target Group)
- Participants may be nominated by organisations and agencies within the energy sector that work actively with plans, policies and programmes at national or regional levels, and in different sectors for which SEA is required or may be applied. These may be government agencies, ministries, non-governmental organisations or private enterprises involved with energy in any relevant field, such as production, distribution, consumption, regulation, planning, policy development, or civil society engagement.
- The programme will seek diversity in the sectors represented. Priority will be given to organisations that will benefit from increased capacity in SEA and strategic energy development. Participants will be selected from organisations with demonstrated intent and possibilities to support the design and implementation of an SEAP within the organisation.
Application Procedure
The programme brochure and application form will be available in February 2016.
Course Contents
The training programme content is organised in four integrated thematic modules:
- Module 1, Introduction to SEA: the concept of and rationale for SEA, and methods and tools for conducting SEA.
- Module 2, International and Swedish regulatory systems and experiences of SEA within the energy sector: concept and approach, the role of regulatory frameworks, and effective environmental integration.
- Module 3, Good governance and implementation of SEA in practice: the institutional, political, social and economic aspects of enabling the integration of environmental considerations in strategic planning.
- Module 4, Organisational change: organisational change theory and tools and skills for initiating, leading and managing an SEA project within an organisation.
For more information, please visit SIDA Short Courses 2016.