General Program Description

Are you interested in applying for the next UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN course year? Find out more about the characteristics of our program and see the list of upcoming courses. Learn what criteria you need to fulfil, what is included in the fellowship and how the application process works. You might also want to have a look at our blog to get an impression of our training program.

General Information

The working language of all CIPSEM courses on environmental management is English. The main course on integrated environmental management of 6 month duration is composed of different modules covering a broad range of environmental relevant aspects. The second course model is three different short courses of about four weeks duration tackling specific current topics of environmental relevance for developing and emerging countries, such as soil protection, energy efficiency or waste management. The course curricula concentrate on a broad and interdisciplinary conveyance of knowledge and acquisition of skills.

Theoretical training discussing environmental problems and solutions is complemented by a multitude of excursions presenting impressions of successfully implemented environmental management practices. The third important aspect of the courses is the chance for exchange among fellow participants coming from different regions of the world.

The courses are designed to prepare the participants for their tasks of planning, coordination and management of environmental resources within ministries, agencies, or local government units, enabling them to actively support the environmentally sound and sustainable development of their countries.

Having completed a course, participants are expected to multiply what they have learned and acquired in Dresden, being a person in their home society who mobilises towards environmental management in social, political, cultural and economic questions of development.

Participants successfully completing the 6-month course are awarded a Diploma of Environmental Management or — for Short Courses, a Certificate of Proficiency in the according sector.

Target groups

All CIPSEM courses are particularly designed for experts and managers of public governance and administration at the national, regional, and local level requiring an overall-competence in environmental matters. However, professionals from science, economy or civil society and who already bear responsibility for sustainable development in their countries are welcome to apply. A minimum qualification of a first university degree, and several years of hands-on experience in environmental protection, to be able to contribute to the course are mandatory. The preferable age of participants is between 25 and 45 years. A good command of the English language (written and spoken) is to be proven.

These are general requirements valid for all UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN courses. In addition to these, each course is designed for a specific target group and has, therefore, its specific additional requirements. Please see the descriptions of each course for more details.

Fellowship

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety awards up to 21 applicants with a fellowship, which is sufficient to cover the travelling costs and all basic expenses during the stay. Participants will be provided accommodation in fully equipped private studio apartments.
The application for one of the courses is at the same time the application for a fellowship, unless the candidate states other financial sources.

Application

The call for application for the upcoming UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN course program is always made shortly after the beginning of every year. You can find the upcoming course topics, including course periods and application deadlines in the section next courses.