Invitation to

Advanced International Training Programme

on
Strategic Environmental Assessment
in Sweden, November 21 December 9, 2016
and in one of the participating countries, May - June 2017
Advanced International Training Programmes (ITP) are funded by the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Programmes are organised in a number of
technical and administrative fields where Sweden has experience and expertise to share.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) may serve as a tool for analysis of environmental
impacts and integration of environmental considerations in strategic planning and decisionmaking. An increasing number of countries has adopted regulatory frameworks and guidance
for SEA, and the practice of considering environmental aspects in development planning and
decision making is evolving.
Sida has decided to sponsor this regional training programme on Strategic Environmental
Assessment with a particular focus on the energy sector, for which five countries are
eligible to apply: Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia.
The overall goal of the programme is to increase the integration of environmental
considerations into planning and decision making processes linked to the energy sector in the
participants countries. The programme aims to strengthen the SEA capacity in key
agencies and organisations linked to the energy sector.
The programme runs from September 2016 to December 2017 and consists of five
compulsory phases including three self-study phases and two scheduled courses, one in
Sweden, November 21 December 9, 2016 and one in one of the participating
countries, May - June 2017 (specific location and dates will be announced later).
The training programme is developed and implemented by NIRAS Natura AB in close cooperation with the Centre for Environment and Sustainability (GMV) of Gothenburg
University and Chalmers University.
On behalf of Sida, we have the honor to invite relevant organizations within your country to
nominate candidates to this programme.
The training programme is aimed at individuals working in organizations that work actively
with plans, policies and programmes for which SEA may be used for analyzing and
addressing environmental impacts and opportunities as linked to the energy sector.
Organizations should have significant influence on the integration of environmental
considerations in national and regional planning decision making. The programme seeks
representation from different sectors.
The training programme will be conducted in English.
Applicants should be a key individual at middle or high level at an organisation with a clear
role in planning and SEA. Applicants should also hold a relevant academic degree.
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Only candidates with official nomination from their home organisation will be accepted.
The programme will run for one more year (starting 2017). For organizations with high
motivation to build SEA capacity, participants from the same organization may be
selected for consecutive years.
Please find more information in the enclosed brochure and application form for the training
programme. The application form and programme brochure are available for download on
NIRASs website: www.niras.com/nic (International Training Programmes/Strategic
Environmental Assessment 2016 C).
Sida strives to obtain a gender balance, and female candidates are in particular
encouraged to apply for the programme.
Sida provides scholarships for the participants covering:

Participation fee

International travel to and from the scheduled courses in phase 2 (Sweden) and
in phase 4 (in one of the participating countries)

Accommodation during phase 2 and phase 4

Meals during phase 2 and phase 4

Closing date for application is April 30, 2016. By then the application forms should have
reached NIRAS NATURA AB by email (see address below) AND the nearest Swedish
Embassy/Consulate on paper. If there is no Swedish Embassy/Consulate in the country,
please submit the application directly to the ITP Secretariat.
For further information, please contact:
ITP Programme Secretariat
NIRAS Natura AB
P.O. Box 70375
SE-107 24 STOCKHOLM
SWEDEN
Telephone: +46 8 545 533 00
Telefax:
+46 8 545 533 33
E-mail:
johan.roos@niras.se and itp@niras.se

Yours sincerely,
NIRAS Natura AB

Marie Neeser
Programme Director

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