The main component of every program is the development and implementation of action plans by the participants based on the best international experience received during a study tour that can be applied for addressing problems faced by the participants in their organizations or professional network.
During preparation for the program at predeparture orientation (PDO) seminars PtP coordinators INTRODUCE the participants into strategic planning, action plan (project) structure, individual or group projects. Final action plans (projects) are developed at the end of each training program and to be implemented within six months after returning from the program.
Training programs within a study tour are conducted in the US or Europe. Accordingly, terms and period of preparation of various study tours varies: the European training program cycle takes approximately 3-3.5 months and the US training program – 5.5 months.
| Europe | USA |
| Open competition (on-line registration and filling in on-line application documents) | |
| Assessment of applications by selection Committee composed of independent experts, selection of shortlist candidates for an interview (25 – 30 candidates) | |
| Interviews with shortlist candidates (in person or via Skype), selection of 13-15 semifinalists | |
| Notification of candidates about their status – finalists all alternative candidates | Notification of candidates about their status – semifinalists |
| Preparing documents for visa and insurance | |
| Verification of the candidates’ documents by the US Embassy security service та USAID, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine | |
| The first PDO: each participants prepares for an action plan development | The first PDO: each participants prepares for an action plan development |
| Visa interview and obtaining insurance for the program period | Visa interview at the US Consular Section |
| Notification of semifinalists about their status – finalists all alternative candidates | |
| The second PDO (4 hours) – a day before a training program start, development of draft action plan | The second PDO (4 hours) – a day before a training program start, development of draft action plan |
| Participation in a training program, finalizing action plan | Participation in a training program, finalizing action plan |
| Return from a study tour. By 6 months after training participants implement their action plans | |
| Alumni survey: by 3 months after training, participants share information about best practices with colleagues and their professional community | |
| Alumni survey: by 6 months after training, participants share information about activites and implementation of their action plans | |
| Development of success stories about action plan implementation and posting them on the USAID website | |