The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP)
About the programme
The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) at Malmö University is a hybrid training programme called ”How to Make Participatory Governance Work”. The focus of the programme is participatory governance and inclusive democracy with a strong emphasis on EU accession criteria and combating corruption.
The training programme will start with an online session in early spring 2026 followed by onsite trainings in Chișinău and in Malmö 2026. After the training programme there will be opportunities for follow-up activities.
Participation is free of charge and include all activities, meals, accommodation, and travel.
Programme structure
The programme is divided into two parts.
Part 1
Firstly, the training programme consists of 12 themes connected to EU accession chapters and UN SDGs. Each theme, and its activities, is an example of how to increase citizens’ or societal engagement in public affairs and how to design an appropriate public structure to include societal engagement. Some are focusing on preconditions for engagement, such as the importance of transparency, and others are focusing on methods of involvement and inclusion, for example e-democracy or how to foster youth to active citizens. Jointly the activities are aligned with the values of the European Union and support the countries current work with the EU accession process.
Part 2
The second part of the programme consist of follow-up activities in the form of both peer-shadowing opportunities and project work. Both activities are created to help participants experience and pilot ideas from the training programme in real-word settings.
Learning methods
The programme is designed as a joint learning process with participants from different societal sectors – public institutions, civil society and private sector. From experience we are convinced that learning is best achieved by collaborative and knowledge-sharing exercises. The participants will be encouraged to contextualise and make the knowledge and tools of the programme applicable and relevant for their own organisation and society.
The programme aims to give you:
- Increased knowledge of methods to make public governance more inclusive and participatory.
- A deeper understanding of various strategies and best practices that promote citizen engagement and transparency in governance.
- Enhanced capability to implement methods of inclusion and participation.
- Improved ability to adapt, design, and tailor methods and tools of inclusion and participation to specific legal, cultural, and institutional environments, ensuring they are both applicable and contextually useful.
- An expanded professional network of peers, both nationally and regionally.
Why SAYP at Malmö University?
Rebuilding trust in democracy and advancing the rule of law are critical for Eastern Partnership countries as they pursue closer ties with the European Union. However, political polarization, societal divides, and shrinking civic space continue to undermine reform efforts and erode public trust in governance. Currently, we are witnessing a global trend towards autocratization. This trend refers to the gradual erosion of democratic institutions and practices, leading to more authoritarian forms of governance and allowing widespread corruption. This includes the weakening of free media, civil society, and an independent judiciary. We see increased repression of political opposition, activists, journalists, and academia, aiming to silence dissent and consolidate control. For civil servants, there is a risk of reduced professional autonomy, increased political pressure, suppression of dissent, and a rise in corruption and patronage networks. In the participating countries, there is a need to mitigate and curb the risk of such developments.
Our programme is designed with these threats in mind. We strongly believe that by fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, participatory governance helps bridge societal divides and build trust between citizens and their governments.
The themes in the programme are proven to be concrete ways to increase transparency, democratic norms, and citizen engagement. The aim is to leverage academic and experienced knowledge to provide context-adapted, hands-on strategies and means that can be implemented. The emphasis throughout the programme is on strengthening capabilities to enable a more transparent, inclusive, and participatory society, giving participants the opportunity to pilot and implement these tools and methods. By focusing on consultative processes, transparent lobbying, participatory budgeting, social audits, and accountability measures, we aim to support resilient democratic institutions. These efforts will not only address immediate governance challenges but also help to lay the groundwork for sustainable democratic development, fostering a culture of openness and accountability that can withstand future pressures. By implementing these strategies, the programme aims to create a more transparent, inclusive, and participatory society.
Follow-up activities provide opportunities for the participants to implement and pilot methods and practices covered in the training programme.
If you are applying from Belarus, Azerbaijan or Georgia
* Due to the current situation in Belarus, Azerbaijan and Georgia we cannot provide financial support to state employees from Belarus, Azerbaijan or Georgia for activities within SAYP. None-state actors from these three countries are welcome to apply.
Testimonials from Malmö University SAYP alumni
Alumni share their experiences from the programme and what you can expect.
Testimonials from Malmö University SAYP alumni
Alumni share their experiences from the programme and what you can expect.
Cristina Voroneanu, Good Governance Advisor, Primaria Mea, Chisinau, Moldova
"SAYP represents a great opportunity to study and explore common problems faced by our local and national government with colleagues from neighbouring countries. Through lectures, group work, study visits and constant discussions you will get a deeper understanding of the issues we all struggle with, and potential solutions based on the Swedish model. After the course I took advantage of the opportunity provided to put into practice new knowledge and skills by developing and implementing a project idea. This helped the NGO I work for accelerate our work in the area of citizens’ access to information."
Anete Kopštāla, Health Promotion Coordinator at Liepaja City Municipality Administration, Latvia
“SAYP definitely will broaden your scope, both professionally and personally. The areas and topics covered by the SAYP provide a broader view of various public administration processes basing on deeply rooted Swedish experience in good governance practice. Cooperation and experience sharing with other participants enriches the experience gathered through SAYP. You grow not only professionally, but also personally. SAYP is definitely an opportunity to acquire new knowledge, shape your mind, experience diversity, find new contacts and networks for future projects. Distance learning brought us even closer. Zoom in on new knowledge, friendship and opportunities by being part of the SAYP-community!”
Viyaleta Volkava, Reintegration Assistant, IOM, Belarus
“The lecturers and participants of the SI Academy for Young Professions are the heart of this learning exercise. This is thanks to their diversity of thought, opinion and expertise that during SAYP one looks beyond the topic of modern governance unravelling sustainability, gender mainstreaming and public ethics in a most engaging way. The excellent visits to Swedish governmental and non-governmental agencies make SAYP particularly practice-oriented, and open-up an opportunity to network extensively outside the academic settings. Highly recommended!”
