Are you ready to help shape national mine‑action standards (NMAS)? This course gives you the skills and knowledge you need to contribute effectively to the development and management of NMAS.

Aim

This course equips participants with the skills to lead or effectively contribute to the drafting of new NMAS chapters, as well as the review and revision of existing ones. Upon completion, participants will be able to produce clear NMAS that align with IMAS, relevant normative frameworks, and national legislation, thereby enhancing the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of mine‑action activities.

What you will learn?

This course walks you through every step of the NMAS development process and teaches the essential techniques for writing clear, effective standards. By the end, participants will be able to:

• Outline the structures and responsibilities of and the relationships among national mine action authorities, mine action centres and other mine action stakeholders;
• Consider obligations to various treaties when drafting NMAS; 
• understand the importance of risk management, information management and quality management in supporting evidence-based decision-making and how to reflect these in NMAS chapters 
• Prioritise NMAS chapters to immediately develop or review;
• Define specific mine action terms and to incorporate them into NMAS to ensure correct correct and consistent interpretation of outlined matters; 
• Differentiate the levels of content included in IMAS, NMAS and SOPs; 
• Develop and draft clear, effective and concise IMAS-conformant NMAS.

Key concepts including “all reasonable effort,” risk management, quality management, and information management will be examined in depth. By the end of the module, participants will appreciate how NMAS should define these supporting functions.

Who should attend?

• Mine action staff and practitioners from countries affected by explosive ordnance contamination
• Officials from mine action agencies in donor countries and other representatives;
• National officers and military personnel responsible for or engaged in the development of NMAS.

Donors

Switzerland (DDPS)

General requirements

Recommended to take first:

• Introduction to GIS (Geographical Information System) for mine action e-learning course - module 1

Mandatory e-learning courses to complete

Selected participants are required to complete the following GICHD e-learning courses:

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

Participants who fail to complete the e learning modules and the online phase requirements may be removed from attending the in person phase 

Language level requirements

Participants should be able communicate and present on their national standards in English. The following standards of proficiency in English should be met (as described in STANAG 6001).

• Listening: good | 3
• Speaking: fair | 2
• Reading: fair | 2
• Writing: elementary | 1

Equipment requirements

Minimum Technology Requirements

• Computer with up-to-date web browser.
• Google Chrome is recommended

Computer Skills

• You will be required to: Navigate the web Interact with the GICHD Blackboard Learning Management System
• Utilize word processing software
• Enable audio and video settings on your device(s)

Teaching approach

The course is designed into three distinct phases as follows:

• Phase one: Online. (The online phase will start approx. 2 months before the in-person phase. The selected participants will be notified on the commencement details).
  • Interactive self-study: articles, videos, quizzes, online discussions and e-learning components.
  • Four virtual sessions with instructors - interactive discussions and activities, bringing more depth to the subjects covered on self study.

• Phase two: In-person training: intense one week of learning the core modules and practically applying the knowledge and skills learnt on scenario based excecises.

• Phase three: Practical involvement in NMAS development. (Hands‑on participation in the creation or revision of NMAS within a national mine‑action programme). In this phase you will lead or actively contribute to the development or review of specific standard chapters, working with minimal GICHD instructor guidance.

There will be an Impact assessment survey to be sent out 12 months after the training to enquire about the impact of the training on the individual and organisational performance. .

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

• virtual classes
• self-paced online study
• instructor presentations,
• Group discussions and group solution presentations
• Scenario-based group exercises.

Assessment

• During the course, participants’ performance in exercises and presentations will be evaluated. A final written assessment will be conducted at the end of the in‑person phase.

• An additional NMAS Development Achievement Certificate will be awarded after evaluation to those who proceed to the third phase. To obtain the certificate, you must submit a revised or new NMAS within six months of course completion.

Travel & Accommodation

After preliminary confirmation of selection, a letter of recommendation from the applicant's supervisor will be required.

The registration form should be filled in no later than the application deadline.

In addition to national and international staff of mine action organisations, the course is also open to NATO/PfP, MD, ICI and Contact States.

Cost

The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for food and accommodation while in Spiez (Sunday, 4 October 2026 - earliest date of arrival to Saturday, 10 October 2026- latest date of departure).

Transportation and Sponsorship

Travel costs from country of origin to Zurich, Switzerland has to be covered by each respective organisation. It is recommended that all participants schedule an arrival in Zurich, Switzerland no later than Sunday, 4 October 2026.

A limited number of sponsorships covering travel expenses from country of origin to Spiez might be available for applicants with no other funding opportunities from developing countries. 

Train tickets Zurich Airport – Spiez – Zurich Airport will be reimbursed to the participants (only second-class tickets). 

Insurance

The DDPS and the GICHD do not cover health care expenses. All participants are themselves responsible for adequate insurance (health, accident and liability) or need a Governmental guarantee to cover any health care expenses in Switzerland.

Cancellation

The course is subject to final funding confirmation.

The GICHD has the right to cancel the course latest two weeks prior to the training should it not reach the minimum number of participants. 

Visa

Participants requiring a visa should apply at the Swiss Embassy in their country. Invitation letters can be provided by the GICHD.

Location