APLA Concludes a Specialized Training to Certify Palestinian Trainers in SDG Localization

In a distinctive approach rooted in experiential learning and practical application, APLA, in partnership with the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), concluded an advanced training program aimed at certifying Palestinian trainers in SDG localization, with the participation of ten Palestinian municipalities from APLA’s SDG Localization Team.

This training marked the culmination of a full year of structured capacity-building jointly implemented by APLA and the UCLG Learning Team. Participants had previously completed a series of intensive e-learning courses focused on localization tools and participatory learning methodologies, successfully fulfilling both theoretical and practical requirements before advancing to this final applied stage.

As the capstone phase of the program designed to build national expertise capable of leading SDG localization within local governments, participants conducted fully integrated training sessions in front of UCLG experts and partners. Upon completion, they received the UCLG International Diploma for Certified Trainers, becoming the first Palestinian cohort to achieve this level of global accreditation.

The five-day intensive training, held in Catalonia, blended theory and practice. Participants visited the UCLG headquarters and leading Catalan municipalities, including Granollers and Barcelona, engaging in specialized workshops on urban resilience, climate action, and decentralized cooperation.

Interactive sessions introduced methods for integrating the SDGs into local planning, alongside hands-on exercises using participatory learning tools (SDGs Games). Field visits to innovative urban environmental sites—such as rainwater harvesting systems, wastewater management facilities, solar farms, safety and emergency centers, and urban green spaces—offered participants practical insights into how global cities have successfully translated environmental policies into tangible actions adaptable to the Palestinian context.

This training represents a landmark milestone in APLA’s ongoing efforts to build sustainable national capacities in SDG localization. It established a core group of certified Palestinian trainers equipped to transfer knowledge and support municipalities in fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local governance.

The program was implemented with the support of the Local Governance Reform Program (LGRP) of GIZ.

Participating municipalities included: Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Al-Eizariya, Tulkarm, Ramallah, Jericho, Al-Bireh, and Beitunia.

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