The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), together with the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), is organizing a regional Land Release Training in the context of the Arab Regional Cooperation Programme (ARCP).  It will be conducted in Arabic and English, with interpretation provided.

See the course description in Arabic انظر وصف الدورة باللغة العربية

Aim

This course aims to improve the operational capacity of mine action organizations by empowering field managers and personnel with the knowledge and practical skills needed to plan, manage and implement efficient and effective land release (LR) operations in an expert manner. This includes different stages of the LR process: non-technical survey (NTS), technical survey (TS), clearance, and quality management.

What you will learn?

The course strengthens participants’ capacity to:

• Enhance operational efficiency in Land Release activities through the application of good practices and international standards.
• Improve safety for communities and personnel involved in Mine Action operations.
• Implement sustainable development through the release of land for productive use.
• Strengthen capacity of Mine Action personnel in planning, coordination, and execution of Land Release activities.
• Promote a collaborative and transparent approach to Mine Action, fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

Who should attend?

Preference will be given to individuals charged with managing and conducting field operations or training personnel for field operations. This course is designed for team leaders and operations officers and technical field managers responsible for developing strategies, executing, and overseeing land release operations in the field. It targets individuals from national mine action authorities, national and international implementing organizations, and where applicable, the military or police.

As part of the application process, participants must submit a signed and stamped letter of endorsement from their national director or employer.

Where possible, national authorities and organizations are encouraged to nominate a maximum of two participants per delegation. Selected participants must have valid travel insurance coverage and submit a colored copy of their passport, valid for at least six months from the date of entry to Lebanon. The selection process will begin after the application deadline.

Donors

Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

Finland

Switzerland

Mandatory e-learning courses to complete

Selected participants must complete the following GICHD e-learning courses prior to the start of the training:

• Introduction to gender and diversity in mine action
• Introduction to explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) essentials
• Understanding the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)

Equipment requirements

Participants will need:

• A computer with an up-to-date web browser (Google Chrome recommended)
• A mobile phone

Teaching approach

The following training methods are used to make the learning journey the most effective and... enjoyable:

• In person classroom training with scenario-based training (indoor and outdoor)
• Peer learning
• Community of practice
• Personalized support from trainers
• Impact assessment survey: distributed nine months after the training to measure its effect on individual and organizational performance

Assessment

Participant performance will be evaluated based on:

• Active participation in the classroom as well as the field training exercises – 15%
• Case study exercises – 25%
• Final written test conducted in the classroom – 60%

Note: A pre-course baseline test will also be provided before arriving to the training. You will receive a notification to your emails and instructions on how to complete it.  The results of the test do not affect the course final grade.

Travel & Accommodation

This course is provided free of charge.

The GICHD and the LMAC will provide necessary administrative and logistical support for selected participants.

Travel costs:

The GICHD will cover travel-related expenses (airfare or other transportation) only for representatives of national mine action authorities. This includes visa application fees.

Accommodation costs:

The GICHD will cover accommodation expenses for all participants from Sunday 5 October to Saturday 18 October 2025, depending on flight bookings. Participants will be accommodated at the RSHDL.

The GICHD will arrange – in cooperation with LMAC – will arrange transfers for all participants from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to the RSHDL, based on your arrival flight. Return transfers will also be arranged at the end of the training, based on your departure flight.

Please note that the GICHD will not reimburse taxi expenses.

Meal costs:

The GICHD will cover all participants’ meals during the training.

Insurance:

Selected participants must have valid and adequate health, hospitalization, accident, and repatriation insurance coverage for the period of stay. Please note that the GICHD does not provide insurance and will not cover any expenses related to healthcare, accidents, or liability during the training.

For additional questions or assistance, please contact the GICHD at j.kallas@gichd.org.

Remarks

Please note that the details of this course are subject to change. To accommodate unforeseen circumstances, the GICHD reserves the right to adjust elements such as location, dates, and other logistical arrangements. Any modifications will be communicated promptly, and the GICHD shall not be held liable for any inconvenience resulting from these changes.

Location