The Government of Italy has extended an invitation for IORA Member States to participate in a high-level specialized Training Program on “Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities” in Italy from 3 May – 9 July 2021. The invitation is open to all IORA Member States, and 8 selected candidates will be chosen after evaluation of their applications.
The in-person training program will be conducted by the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM Bari), an active member of the Italy IORA Committee, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization, and funded by Italian Development Cooperation. The course’s stated aims are to strengthen stakeholders’ capacities, develop, and implement integrated management policies, strategies, and tools, focusing especially on stakeholders’ empowerment, offering a comprehensive view of the Blue Economy explored through a cross-sectorial approach.
Italy has provided a course outline and proposed training program for consideration by IORA Member States. According to the IORA Secretariat, the stated course objectives and intended outcomes are well aligned with the objectives of the work plan of the Working Group on the Blue Economy primarily and, to a lesser extent, the Work Plan of the Core Group on Tourism.
Full hospitality covering all course expenses will be considered for one (1) potential participant from IORA countries that qualify for official Italian Development Cooperation i.e. Somalia and Mozambique. All other applicants from IORA Member States (maximum of 8) will have to co-finance the training costs with a financial contribution of Euro 1,500 per week per person, along with the international flight ticket. Arrangements in this regard will need to be made with the organizers directly.
IORA Member States’ Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries are cordially invited to nominate a candidate for participation in the course to Italy directly (copying the IORA Secretariat on hq@iora.int) by sending their CVs and Motivation letters directly to didattica@iamb.it by no later than 21 March 2021.
Italy and IORA, with the CIHEAM Bari collaboration, are also organizing another course to develop a shorter in-person training program on sustainable marine tourism for IORA and Mediterranean countries.