Participant information

The IPDTC training programmes are opened to the participation of:

  • UN, OSCE, EU, Commonwealth, OAS, AU, ASEAN staff
  • Government and Conflict Party Leadership and Senior Negotiators and Mediators
  • Deployable Civilian Experts, Policy and Field Staff for international and national organisations and agencies working in areas affected by violent conflict / war and in post-war situations
  • Senior to mid-level staff and executive officers in national and international aid and development organisations and organisations dealing with peacebuilding or working in areas affected by armed conflict
  • Staff of international and national NGOs working in the fields of development, human rights, stabilisation and recovery, conflict resolution, confidence and security building measures, democratisation, and social empowerment, gender and peacebuilding, and reconciliation and healing
  • National and local level politicians in countries affected by war and conflict or with portfolios responsible for issues dealing with peacebuilding, conflict transformation, violence prevention, post-war stabilisation and recovery, reconciliation and healing
  • Mediation Parties including Government Leadership and Conflict Parties and their representatives involved in Mediation and Negotiation Processes
  • Mediators and those involved in facilitating and supporting formal and information mediation processes,including back channel negotiations and quiet diplomacy
  • Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations involved in funding, capacity building and support operations for peacebuilding, conflict transformation, violence prevention and post-war recovery programmes
  • Members of Working Groups, Expert Groups and Negotiation Teams involved in mediation and peace processes and confidence building working groups

Who can request training programmes?

IPDTC programmes may be requested and custom-designed for organisations, agencies, and government ministries, working in or on conflict affected areas, with the aim of assisting them in enhancing their own peacebuilding capacities, including training for individual skills, tools, knowledge, understanding and personal attitudes, as well as organisational development, strategic planning, and institutional strengthening.

How can I get a visa to come to Romania for a training programme?

After acceptance, those participants that require a visa to take part in the training programme will receive an official invitation letter to attend the training programme. The participant may use this letter as a support document when going to the nearest embassy for visa procedures. Each participant is required to check which is the nearest embassy that grants the necesary visas and the requested documentation for visas to be issued. All participants requiring visas are requested to start the visa process immediately. This process often takes more than 30 days, so an early start would ensure participation in the programme(s).

Are there scholarships available for those who cannot cover the costs of the training programmes?

IPDTC does not offer any scholarships or financial aid to cover costs of the training programmes. We have designed our course fees in such way that people coming from countries that are not OECD members may participate at lower prices. Also, please note that the price of the training in Cluj (not London) includes accommodation for 6 nights, breakfasts and lunches for 5 days plus 3 dinners. To gather funds for participation, we advise our applicants to contact UN agencies or other international/national donor organisations active in the applicant’s country to start fundraising. The first step, however, is to apply for the training programme(s) and go through the application process. Following acceptance, each participant will receive an acceptance/invitation letter that can be used both for visa applications and for fundraising purposes.

What is the cancellation policy for IPDTC training programmes?

The IPDTC cancellation policy refers to the following situations:

Cancellation more then 30 days before the starting date of the training programme
Should accepted participants cancel more than 30 working days before the start date of the training programme, they are not required to pay any cancellation fee. All course payments will be refunded.

Cancellation 15 to 30 working days before the starting date of the training programme
Should accepted participants cancel 15 to 30 working days before the start date of the training programme, they will be required to pay 50% of the participation fee to IPDTC. IPDTC will refund the remaining 50% of the course payments.

Cancellation within 14 working days of the starting date of the training programme
Should accepted participants cancel less than 15 working days before the start date of the training programme, they will be required to pay 100% of the participation fee to IPDTC. In such cases, IPDTC will not refund any part of the received course payment.

Cancellation of participation in case of non-receipt of visa
Should accepted participants require an entry visa to the country where the IPDTC training is held be refused this visa within any timeframe leading up to the training programme, they are not required to pay any cancellation fee provided they can prove that their visa application was submitted to the correct embassy at least 30 working days in advance from the start date of the training programme.

Cancellation of IPDTC training programmes
IPDTC withholds the right to cancel any training programme by announcing a cancellation at least 30 days before the start date of the training programme. In case of programme cancellation, IPDTC refunds only already paid participation fees, other losses need to be supported by each participant.

What are the payment options for IPDTC training programmes?

For payment, there are two possibilities:
(1) payment through bank transfer before the training programme and
(2) payment by credit/debit card on our website.

To pay via bank transfer (recommended), the following details are needed to draw up the official invoice:
a. Name of recipient of invoice (you or your institution?)
b. Address of the recipient of invoice (you or your institution?)
c. Bank name
d. Bank address
e. Bank account number.

All of these details are required to be on all official invoices by the Romanian Financial Authorities.

What are the language requirements for IPDTC's training programmes?

The trainings will be held in English and require active participation; therefore, strong English proficiency is essential.

What does the training fee cover?

For the training programmes held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania:
  • Training services
  • Accommodation in double room (room with two beds) from Sunday (check-in time 12:00pm) until Saturday (check-out time 12:00pm). For those who wish accommodation in single room, an extra fee will be charged.
  • Breakfast at the hotel for the duration of the training
  • Lunch and dinner for the duration of the training
  • Handouts and other materials received during the training programme
  • Quick Reference Guide
  • Access to comprehensive resource material database
  • Certificate of participation
For the training programmes held in London, UK:
  • Training services
  • Handouts and other materials received during the training programme
  • Quick Reference Guide
  • Access to comprehensive resource material database
  • Certificate of participation

When should I arrive for my training course?

All participants are required to be present for the duration of the training course. IPDTC advises that participants arrive the day before the training to ensure they are present for the full course. Participants absent during any training sessions will not receive diplomas without a prior arrangement with the training staff.

What is the best way of travelling to Cluj-Napoca?

Cluj-Napoca is an accessible city with an international airport with direct flights to many European major cities. Additionally, Cluj-Napoca’s train station is served by trains from Bucharest, Romania and Budapest, Hungary. IPDTC is happy to offer travel advice to our participants, and upon arrival in the city we will collect you at the airport or train station.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania - The City

Cluj-Napoca is the second most populous city in Romania and lies in the north-western part of the country. The city is famous for its bohemian cafes, music festivals, galleries and gardens, vibrant cultural and academic life.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania - Airport and flight connections

Cluj International Airport is 7km east of the old town. Buses 5 and 8 connect the airport with central Cluj (Piaţa Mihai Viteazul). Services are every 10 to 20 minutes between 5am and 10pm. The journey takes 30 minutes. The airport is served by numerous airlines including budget airline Wizzair connecting Cluj with major European cities. Check out all connections here.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania - Getting around

Taxi fares between central Cluj and the train station or airport should cost roughly 12 lei and 25 lei respectively ($USD 3-6). The city centre is a 10 minute walking distance from Hotel-Napoca, our training location.