Mediterranean Host Municipalities Learning Network

South-South Knowledge Exchange

2^nd CMI CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development

Turkey, July 01-05, 2019 (location and date tbc)

APPLY HERE BEFORE MARCH 24, 2019: 

English language: https://goo.gl/forms/saHjwoQelGLEYGE63

Arabic language: https://goo.gl/forms/5W9RbuEmaoiZj3yz2

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

A second edition of the HMLN Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development will take place in summer 2019. This workshop consists in a training program developed by the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) in collaboration with the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), UN-Habitat, and the World Bank. It is organized in the framework of the CMI-managed Host Municipalities Learning Network (HMLN) comprising local government representatives from the Eastern Mediterranean region, whose town are affected by forced displacements issues.

The Workshop aims at:

• Improving capacities in LED planning for communities hosting forcibly displaced in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa;
• Supporting regional and cross-regional peer-learning among host local governments;
• Strengthening the regional network (HMLN) and facilitate the creation of a new South-South cross-regional Knowledge Exchange (SSKE).

The theme "Strategic planning for Local Economic Development" was identified by the HMLN as one of the priority solutions for host local governments to improve the welfare of their communities in a protracted forced displacement context. Local Economic Development (LED) strategies focused on attracting private investments can support welfare generation and lead to job creation for the displaced and the local residents by enabling refugees and vulnerable populations to contribute to the local welfare.  

The 1^st edition of the workshop took place in Amman, Jordan in March 2018, and brought together 45 representatives from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Turkey. Drawing from the request from HMLN members and representatives from new regions (Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa), the CMI and its partners decided to organize a 2^nd Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development.

The workshop consists of a 4-days training and a field visit. It will provide participants with customized methodological tools for host local governments, peer-to-peer exchange of experience, and applied working group session. Simultaneous interpretation will be assured in English and Arabic.

The workshop targets 25 staff and elected representatives of local governments from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and Libya who will be selected through this Call for Participants. It also invites 20 representatives of local governments from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda who will be selected by CMI and the World Bank through an internal process.

The CMI and its partners will cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and workshop for all selected participants.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Elected representatives, staff (temporary or long term) and close collaborators working for Local Governments and involved with Local Economic Development. Local Governments include: Municipalities, Union / Federation of Municipalities, Municipal Departments, Regional authority, Governorates).
• Eligible countries: Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Turkey, Libya and Egypt
• Participants must be able to have a working knowledge of Arabic and/or English. Interpretation and translation in other languages will not be provided.
• A maximum application of 2 representatives per Local Government can be accepted – the organizers also reserves themselves the right to decline a second application per local government, based on capacity constraints.

Participants to the 1^st Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Planning for LED (Amman, Jordan, March 19-22^nd, 2018) will not be considered for selection.

SELECTION PROCESS & TIMELINE

Eligible applicants will be selected by the CMI team alongside the below criteria. The selection process will consist of two strands: pre-selection following the completion of an online application form, and final selection following the full completion of a self-assessment of the local economic context of the applicants’ local government.

Timeline for applications and selection will be the following:
 

SELECTION CRITERIA

In order to fulfill the objectives of the training workshop, participants will be selected on the basis of their direct involvement, need for, and interest in LED Strategy, following the below criteria:  

Pre-Selection Criteria

• Relevance of the local context of applicants’ local governments to forced displacement and Local Economic Development needs.
• Commitment to pursue a LED strategy in the local area: the participant should be in a professional position that allows her/him to contribute to the development of a LED Strategy, and be backed in this effort by a political will (e.g. to be part of the municipal unit accountable for LED policies, or to be in a position to have an impact on LED policies). It is expected that follow-up activities will last at least 6 to 12 months.
• Active involvement in the Host Municipalities Learning Network: assessed through active participation in at least two activities (workshops, webinars, compendium of experiences) and/or active participation on virtual discussions (Facebook page, C4D) - this criterion will be applied to existing HMLN members only).

Validation of Selection

All pre-selected participants will be asked to complete a self- assessment of the local economic context of their municipality.This self-assessment is an integral part of the training, which participants will be encouraged to use during the workshop in order to refine their own LED Strategy. It consists of a questionnaire form to assess the economic situation of their town, including assets & liabilities, opportunities & challenges; and define their scope of action. Participants will also receive feedback from their peers and experts on this self-assessment during the workshop.

Completion of the self-assessment will be the last condition validating the selection of pre-selected applicants.  An incomplete completion of the self-assessment or a completion beyond the deadline will compromise the participation to the workshop.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be submitted through an online form in either English or Arabic. Only completed applications will be taken into consideration. Should you be experiencing difficulties in filling out the online form in English or Arabic, please get in touch with us at [email protected] .

Apply here:
 

English language: https://goo.gl/forms/saHjwoQelGLEYGE63

Arabic language: https://goo.gl/forms/5W9RbuEmaoiZj3yz2

After filling the online form, you will not receive an automatic email confirming your application.

LEGAL MENTIONS

The above call for participants rules are binding throughout the entire duration of the Call for Participants for the above-mentioned workshop. By applying to the Call, participants accept these rules and regulations and agree to abide by them.