This course is designed to help you produce and improve national mine action standards (NMAS) through the use the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and related mine action information. 

Aim

This course aims for participants to learn how to evaluate, draft, and enhance the writing of NMAS.  Participants will explore key concepts including: all reasonable effort, risk management, quality management, and information management. These considerations improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of NMAS, resulting in confidence in mine action outputs.

What you will learn?

The course strengthens participants’ capacity to:

• Outline the structures and responsibilities of and the relationships among national mine action authorities, mine action centres and other mine action stakeholders;
• Describe obligations under treaties to which the State in question is party when drafting national mine action standards; 
• Use risk management, information management and quality management in support of evidencebased decision-making; 
• Prioritise the development of NMAS within a group that will comprise a series of standards; 
• Draft clear and concise NMAS; 
• Define specific mine action terms and explain how to incorporate them into NMAS to ensure correct implementation of related mine action concepts; 
• Follow the thematic processes of the IMAS when drafting NMAS; 
• Explain the different levels of content included in IMAS, NMAS and standard operating procedures; 
• Develop effective IMAS-conformant NMAS.

Who should attend?

• Mine action staff and practitioners from countries affected by explosive ordnance contamination
• Officials from mine action agencies in donor countries and other representatives;
• National officers and military personnel responsible for or engaged in the development of NMAS; who are familiar with the IMAS; 

Donors

Switzerland (DDPS)

General requirements

Recommended to take first:

• ‘Introduction to GIS (Geographical Information System) for mine action e-learning course - module 1’

Mandatory e-learning courses to complete

Selected participants are required to complete the following GICHD e-learning courses:

• Introduction to gender and diversity in mine action e-learning course
• Understanding the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) e-learning course
• Introduction to explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) essentials e-learning course

Participants who fail to complete the pre-course material successfully may be removed from the in-person course.

Language level requirements

Participants should be able communicate and present on their national standards in English. The following standards of proficiency in English should be met (as described in STANAG 6001).

• Listening: good | 3
• Speaking: fair | 2
• Reading: fair | 2
• Writing: elementary | 1

Equipment requirements

Minimum Technology Requirements

• Computer with up-to-date web browser.
• Google Chrome is recommended
• Mobile phone

Computer Skills

• You will be required to: Navigate the web Interact with the Blackboard Learning Management System
• Utilize word processing software
• Enable audio and video settings on your device(s)

Teaching approach

• This course is a blended approach of online and in-person training. Teaching methods include self-paced online preparation, presentations, discussions, and country scenario-based group work.
• Please note that the online preparation will start approx. 2-3 months prior to the in-person course. The selected participants will be notified on the details.

Assessment

• During the course, participant performance during the exercises and presentations will be evaluated. To get your certificate of achievement, you will be required to submit a revised or new NMAS within 6 months of course completion.

Travel & Accommodation

After preliminary confirmation of selection, a letter of recommendation from the applicant's supervisor will be required.

The registration form should be filled in no later than the application deadline.

In addition to national and international staff of mine action organisations, the course is also open to NATO/PfP, MD, ICI and Contact States.

Cost

The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for food and accommodation while in Spiez (Sunday, 5 October 2025 - earliest date of arrival to Saturday, 11 October 2025- latest date of departure).

Transportation and Sponsorship

Travel costs from country of origin to Zurich, Switzerland has to be covered by each respective organisation. It is recommended that all participants schedule an arrival in Zurich, Switzerland no later than Sunday, 5 October 2025.

A limited number of sponsorships covering travel expenses from country of origin to Spiez might be available for applicants with no other funding opportunities from developing countries. Applicants wishing sponsorships for flights must contact the GICHD at pfp(at)gichd.org before registering and no later than the application deadline.

Train tickets Zurich Airport – Spiez – Zurich Airport will be reimbursed to the participants (only second-class tickets). 

Insurance

The DDPS and the GICHD do not cover health care expenses. All participants are themselves responsible for adequate insurance (health, accident and liability) or need a Governmental guarantee to cover any health care expenses in Switzerland.

Cancellation

The course is subject to final funding confirmation.

The GICHD has the right to cancel the course latest two weeks prior to the training should it not reach the minimum number of participants. 

Visa

Participants requiring a visa should apply at the Swiss Embassy in their country. Invitation letters can be provided by the GICHD.

Location