Questions to be discussed in this innovative training course are: How can municipalities increase social and financial accountability towards their citizens? What are the different steps for communication and participation in the policy process? And how to promote integrity and transparency?

You will discuss the accountability chain, the participation ladder and the do´s and don’ts of citizen participation. Furthermore, you will work on case studies from different parts of the world, experience different perspectives in role-play and go on study visits to municipalities, active citizen groups and participation projects in the field of urban planning, social cohesion and law and order.

This course will help you:
- define your own role and responsibilities in participation processes as well as the role of your partners;
- specify the conditions for successful participation projects;
- apply tools for communication with citizens, NGOs and other stakeholders;
- identify the do’s and don’ts of citizen participation and accountability processes;
- consider municipalities’ social and financial accountability to their citizens.

NFP (Nuffic) fellowship
The Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education (NUFFIC) offers the opportunity to apply for a fellowship for this training course, as part of the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for short courses. To see if you are eligible for a fellowship and to learn more about the rules and regulations regarding the fellowship, please see www.nuffic.nl/nfp.
If you would like to apply for this NFP fellowship you have to:
- Send us your application form for this training course and
- register in the online Nuffic database Scholarships online through the following link: www.nuffic.nl/sol
You must send us the application form for the course and register in SOL between 17 July and 2 October, 2012 ! Applications send beyond 2 October 2012 will not be considered.