Target groupThis summer school is addressed to national and local representatives and public servants leading departments, agencies, public enterprises, national/regional programmes for local development and any other public officials, private stakeholders, researchers or postgraduate scholars involved in improving governance, representatives of grassroots associations and other local civil society representatives.DescriptionAt a time when national and local governments are being asked to do more for less – whilst managing the storm of diminishing income, rising demands for services, keeping pace with ever-changing technology and engaging disenchanted citizens – national and local authorities have to redefine their role and functions. Local governments cannot operate in isolation nor can they apply old parameters; but they can cooperate with different partners in search of new solutions. This new landscape requires a reconsideration of the organisational culture and behaviour of the national and local government in order to make it successful, along with an intense focus on digital innovation and citizen engagement to maximise `local knowledge´. Local government is fundamentally changing and leadership matters more and more in times of instability.Barcelona is hosting this comprehensive one-week training programme, with the purpose of enhancing your knowledge and skills to exercise leadership in the highly complex public environment. This will be done by providing case studies, practical experiences, recent research findings and a variety of study visits and exercises. The programme is developed together with different municipalities and provides leaders with the tools required to create their own strategies and become drivers for change. It discusses the four main principles of good governance: capacity building; transparency and accountability; working in partnership with key stakeholders; citizens’ engagement and better communication.Learning methodologyA variety of training methods will be used throughout the course: lectures delivered by experts, case analysis, workshops where the participants will work in teams, and study visits. The participants will visit Council Halls of internationally recognised excellence, whose leaders will demonstrate how to create and implement a successful strategy for their organisations. Participants will thus be able to receive practical advice, exchange experiences and establish contacts for future partnerships and strategies.