Executive Certificate in Territorial Governance & Local Development
Strategic Leadership for Elected Officials & Territorial Executives
An international executive programme designed for mayors, governors, regional presidents, and senior territorial leaders seeking to modernise governance, drive local development, and build strategic leadership capacity.
Programme Overview
The Territorial Governance & Local Government Leadership Programme is ETHSUN's flagship offering for public sector leaders. Designed for elected officials and senior territorial executives worldwide, it equips participants with the tools to modernise governance, integrate digital transformation, drive economic development, and lead with accountability — culminating in a five-day Davos immersion and certificate award ceremony.
Choose Your Format
Full online programme combined with 5 days of international in-person immersion, with certificate award on-site.
Cohort Calendar
Curriculum
01Modern Public Governance
- Contemporary public governance frameworks
- Territorial performance management
- Strategic territorial leadership
- Participatory and inclusive governance
02Smart Cities & Digital Transformation
- Smart governance strategy
- Digital public service design
- Data-driven public administration
- AI for local governments
03Territorial Economic Development
- Territorial attractiveness and investment
- Local economic development strategy
- Public-private partnerships
- Territorial financing models
04Ethics, Transparency & Public Accountability
- Ethical public governance
- Administrative transparency
- Anti-corruption frameworks
- Responsible management of public resources
05Territorial Transformation Lab
- International case studies
- Governance simulations
- Territorial transformation plan development
- Executive peer exchange
06AI & Territorial Governance
- AI for public policies and citizen services
- Smart territories: data, infrastructure and digital governance
- AI-augmented public decision-making
- Ethics, accountability and AI regulation in the public sector
Professional Dissertation
As a culminating requirement of this programme, each participant completes a Mémoire Professionnel de Fin de Formation — a professional dissertation that bridges academic rigour with real-world strategic application. The memoir is defended before a jury of academic and professional experts.
- Strategic Issue Identification — Define and contextualise a concrete strategic or managerial challenge drawn from your own organisation or sector.
- Literature Review & Conceptual Framework — Anchor your analysis in relevant academic literature and establish the theoretical foundations underpinning your recommendations.
- Analysis & Strategic Recommendations — Conduct a rigorous diagnosis and develop actionable, evidence-based recommendations adapted to your context.
- Defence Before a Jury — Present and defend your findings before a panel of academic faculty and industry professionals at the end of the programme.
Learning Outcomes
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