Study tour of Bhutanese Delegation as part of the European Union (EU)-funded “Strengthening Local Governance and Decentralisation programme in Bhutan”

As part of the EU-funded “Strengthening Local Governance and Decentralisation programme in Bhutan”, implemented by a Consortium led by Particip GmbH in partnership with Helvetas, the College of Europe (CoE) has been appointed to organise a study tour for Bhutanese government officials from the Department of Local Governance as well as leaders from local governments, to Belgium, focusing on local governance, community driven local economic development, disaster management, gender equality, and sustainable practices. The EU Technical Assistance for “strengthening local governance, decentralisation and gender mainstreaming” has been working closely with the CoE on the programme that will provide hands-on learning and exchange experience, combining classroom sessions, field visits, and high-level meetings with European institutions and local authorities.

The study tour will start at the CoE, where participants will explore EU approaches and methodologies, including participatory decision-making and territorial governance. Experiential learning activities will help bridge theory and real-world application, emphasising stakeholder engagement and inclusive partnerships between local governments, the private sector, and civil society.

Delegates will visit West Flanders Province to discuss resilience, security, and agriculture, as well as Visit Flanders, the tourism agency of the Government of Flanders, to discuss sustainable tourism. Delegates will also meet representatives of the Agency for Home Affairs of the Government of Flanders.

High-level meetings will include sessions with the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), EEAS representatives, the Territorial Approach to Local Development (TALD) facility, and DG ECHO (in relation to disaster management), providing insights into EU-Bhutan partnerships and support.

This study tour reflects Bhutan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local governance, promoting inclusive local development, and learning from EU best practices.
 

Should you require more information, please contact info.training-projects@coleurope.eu.