Advertisements
Call for Applications: Two Training Programmes on "Urban Adaptation, Urban Planning and Water Management" and "Local Economic Development and Local Socio-Economic Development"
05-07-2026
Call for Applications: Two Training Programmes on "Urban Adaptation, Urban Planning and Water Management" and "Local Economic Development and Local Socio-Economic Development"

The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), in partnership with the Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Provincial Council, invites Category (B) and Category (C) municipalities to apply for participation in two training programmes to be held in Amman, Jordan, in September 2026, under “the Catalan-Palestinian Municipal Cooperation Initiative, District 11: Cities of Palestine” project.

  • First Training Programme about: Urban Adaptation, Urban Planning and Water Management from 15 to 17 September 2026.
  • Second Training Programme about: Local Economic Development and Local Socio-Economic Development from 19 to 21 September 2026.

Participation is subject to the eligibility requirements and selection criteria outlined below. Applications will be evaluated by a joint selection committee composed of representatives from APLA and the Catalan project partners.

Eligibility Criteria
1. Requirements for the Municipality:

  • The applicant must be a Category (B) or Category (C) municipality, according to the classification of the Ministry of Local Government.
  • The municipality must have paid its APLA membership fees through the most recently completed fiscal year.
  • The municipality must officially nominate one eligible staff member through a nomination letter signed by the Mayor of the Local Government Unit.
  • Each municipality may nominate only one employee per training programme.
  • The municipality must commit to submitting a training report to APLA upon completion of the programme.


2. Requirements for the Nominated Employee

  • The nominee must be an employee of the municipality whose position is relevant to the training topic.
  • Mayors  and members of municipal councils are not eligible to apply.
  • The nominee must have a good command of English. Please note that Spanish–Arabic interpretation will be provided during the training sessions only, while communication with project partners will take place in English.
  • The nominee must commit to participating in the preparatory meetings prior to the training.
  • The nominee must submit a training report to their municipality following completion of the programme.


Training Overview

The two training programmes are organized under the Catalan-Palestinian Municipal Cooperation Initiative, District 11: Cities of Palestine, which aims to strengthen Palestinian Local Government Units (LGUs) through municipal cooperation based on solidarity between Catalan and Palestinian cities.

The programmes will bring together technical staff from Palestinian LGUs with experts from the Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Provincial Council, municipalities from the Province of Barcelona, the University of Barcelona, the Greater Amman Municipality, Saida Municipality, and international experts to exchange knowledge and practical experience in areas including nature-based solutions, risk-informed urban planning, smart water management systems, local economic governance, public-private partnerships, and mechanisms for supporting youth entrepreneurship and women's economic initiatives.

Training Topics

  • First Training Programme about Urban Adaptation, Urban Planning and Water Management:
    - Urban projects and green spaces.
    - Water management and nature-based solutions.
    - Risk assessment and intervention planning.
    - Resilient urban planning.
  • Second Training Programme about Local Economic Development and Local Socio-Economic Development:
    - Local economic development and local socio-economic development frameworks, and the role of municipalities.
    - Youth entrepreneurship and employment.
    - Inclusive economic empowerment and cooperative development.


Target Participants

Each training programme will accommodate 10 participants from 20 Category (B) and Category (C) municipalities, with one nominee from each municipality. Applicants must hold positions relevant to the respective training theme.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted only by completing the online application form through the following links:

Required Supporting Documents

  • An official nomination letter signed by the Head of the Local Government Unit.
  • The signature page, signed by both the nominated employee and the Head of the Local Government Unit, and stamped with the municipality's official seal.


Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, 23 July 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

For further information, please contact APLA via email at (a.khalaf@apla.ps) or by phone at: 02 296 0712 or 0593 171 904.