This course responds to growing demand from mine action partners, including donors, for training that focuses on strategic, policy, governance, planning, financing, and results-management issues rather than operational or technical implementation.

Drawing on GICHD’s long experience delivering high-quality mine action training, the course will help participants connect strategic and programme decisions with national priorities, international obligations, and measurable humanitarian, development, stabilisation, and peacebuilding outcomes. 

Aim

The course aims to strengthen mine action partners’ ability to plan, programme, oversee and support the implementation of mine action interventions in affected countries. 

What you will learn?

The course strengthens participants’ capacity to:

• Assess national priorities and plans
• Interpret relevant legal obligations and reporting requirements
• Judge whether targets and indicators are realistic and measurable
• Use evidence and results-based thinking to inform programme planning, resource allocation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

Who should attend?

The course is intended for mine action partners, including representatives of national authorities, government headquarters and embassies, donor agencies, private foundations, UN agencies, international organisations, and senior staff from organisations involved in financing, policy dialogue, strategic planning, coordination, or oversight of mine action assistance.

Donors

Switzerland (DDPS)

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: good | 3
• Reading: fair | 2
• Writing: fair | 2

Language requirements are compulsory and should be confirmed by applicants’ superiors. 

Equipment requirements

Minimum Technology Requirements

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

Computer Skills

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

Teaching approach

Delivery will combine an online phase, which will provide short modules and reading material, followed by an in-person phase with short expert inputs, facilitated discussion, case studies, group exercises, peer exchange, problem-solving tasks, and reflection. This adult-learning approach links course content to real-world mine action decision-making contexts and strengthens participants’ ability to apply what they learn after the course.

The online phase will be self-paced and will start approximately one month before the in-person phase.

Assessment

Learning will be assessed through practical exercises, group work, case-based analysis, and a final assessment aligned with the course objectives.

Participants who score 80% or higher on the final assessment will receive a certificate of completion; others will receive a certificate of attendance.

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.

Cost

The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for food and accommodation while in Spiez (Sunday, 3 October 2027 - earliest date of arrival to Saturday, 9 October 2027- 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, 3 October 2027.

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