The Palestinian Association of Local Authorities (APLA), in partnership with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB), announces the opening of applications for two specialized training courses to be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 11 to 16 October 2026.

The training courses are organized within the framework of the ongoing cooperation between APLA and TBB, which aims to support the institutional capacity building of Palestinian local government units (LGUs) and promote the exchange of expertise and partnerships with peer institutions at the regional and international levels.

1. First Training Course: Water Loss Management in Distribution Networks.
2. Second Training Course: Integrated Solid Waste Management.

All applications will be evaluated by a specialized committee at APLA, in coordination with TBB, based on the eligibility requirements and selection criteria outlined below.

Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria

First: Requirements Related to the Local Government Unit

• The local government unit must be a municipality classified as Category (A), (B), or (C), according to the classification of the Ministry of Local Government.
• For applicants to the “Water Loss Management in Distribution Networks” training, the local government unit must be a municipality that provides water distribution services.
• For applicants to the “Integrated Solid Waste Management” training, the local government unit must be a municipality that manages solid waste services.
• The local government unit must have paid its membership fees to APLA up to and including the completed fiscal year.
• The local government unit must nominate an eligible employee through an official letter signed by the mayor of the local government unit.
• Each local government unit may nominate no more than one employee for each training course.
• The local government unit must submit a training report to APLA upon completion of the training.

Second: Requirements Related to the Nominated Employee

• The nominee must be an employee of the local government unit and hold a position relevant to the subject of the training.
• Mayors or members of local government councils may not be nominated.
• The nominated employee must be able to communicate in English.
• The nominated employee must commit to participating in preparatory meetings prior to the training.
• The nominated employee must submit a report on the training to their local government unit.
• The nominated employee or the local government unit must submit a report on the training to APLA.
• The nominated employee must participate in follow-up activities and knowledge-exchange activities organized by APLA, when requested.

General Framework of the Training Courses

The two training courses are organized within the framework of cooperation between APLA and the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB), which aims to support Palestinian local government units through municipal cooperation based on the exchange of expertise between Turkish and Palestinian municipalities.

The trainings will bring together technical staff from Palestinian local government units with Turkish experts, service providers, and municipalities. TBB will provide the training through its specialized Municipal Academy, which is dedicated to the professional development of Turkish municipal staff. The cooperation covers areas including decentralized cooperation and international municipal partnerships, risk management, water loss management in distribution networks, and solid waste management.

Target Participants

A total of 10 employees will be accepted for each training course, holding positions relevant to the respective training topic, as follows:

• Employees from 10 municipalities that provide water distribution services.
• Employees from 10 other municipalities responsible for solid waste management.

One nominee from each municipality.

Application Process

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

• First Training Course: “Water Loss Management in Distribution Networks”.
  Click here to access the online application form
• Second Training Course: “Integrated Solid Waste Management”.
  Click here to access the online application form

The following documents must be attached to the application:

1. An official nomination letter signed by the Mayor of the local government unit.
2. The signature and stamp page, signed by both the nominated employee and the Maypr of the local government unit, and stamped with the official stamp of the local government unit.

The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, 23 August 2026.

For further information and inquiries, please contact APLA via email at (j.namoura@apla.ps) or by phone at 022960712 – 00970593360405.