Are you a young professional from Eastern Europe or the Western Balkans? Learn more about public leadership and governance in an increasingly digital and globalised world by applying to our course. You will have the opportunity to engage in online activities and on-site in Sweden, with all related expenses, including travel, accommodation, and meals, fully covered by the course.

About SeGRID 2024

A course for young professionals

Welcome to Linköping University and to SeGRID – Sustainable e-Government for Resilience, Innovation and Democracy. Since its inception in 2017, the course has evolved annually, reflecting the dynamic landscape of public services shaped by digitalisation. Advancing digital transformation presents new demands and opportunities for citizens, professionals, and policymakers alike. The fluid and comprehensive nature of these changes poses significant challenges to current governance models, underscoring the imperative for intelligent and sustainable digital technology applications in government.

  • SeGRID’s curriculum is designed to develop skills for enhancing core public values: efficiency, transparency, accessibility, equality, and other public values through smart and sustainable application of digital technologies in government.
  • SeGRID focuses on the digitalisation of government services and administration, conceptualised as e-government.
  • SeGRID aims to develop skills and build knowledge to address the challenges surrounding sustainable e-government - such as resilience, innovation and democracy in a digital society.
  • SeGRID participants engage with these issues through interactive learning anchored in both theory and practice.

SeGRID alumni build an extensive network for further professional development. 

Western Balkans and Eastern Europe

The course offers two distinct tracks: one tailored for professionals from the Western Balkans, emphasising democratic digital governance, and another designed for professionals from Eastern Europe countries, focusing on sustainable digital governance.

Please access your respective SeGRID page for the Western Balkans or for Eastern Europe.

We welcome all the key actors involved in the digitalisation of public administration and public services. Our course is targeted to:

  • Professionals in public administration, business, civil society and politics.
  • Who have a mandate to drive change in their organisation.
  • Who are subject specialists or otherwise connected to the digitalisation of public services and public administration.

 

In order to be eligible, you also have to:

  • Have a good command of the English language.
  • Have a relevant higher education (at least three years).
  • Be 25-40 years old (born 1984-1999).

Courses 2024

Team, modules and activities

About the team and the course

SeGRID is run by a team of researchers focusing on Digital Government at Linköping University. The team comprises a multidisciplinary skill set and deep-rooted experience in studying digitalisation's impact on society, the public sector, and facets of democracy and citizen engagement. The researchers have a broad international network and are publishing extensively on digital government and related issues. With a rich history of collaborative efforts with municipalities, government agencies, and policymakers across Sweden, the team is well-positioned to arrange insightful activities. 

The course includes two modules, one online and one on-site in Sweden. It starts with thematic and organisational webinars, continues with on-site activities and ends with post-module activities for networking and further cooperation. Co-production of knowledge is central to the course to enhance your professional career and shed new light on the challenges faced in your work.

Online module in May and June

The online module includes live seminars, recorded lectures and podcasts, literature, and collaborative work with professionals from the participating countries. The live seminars are led by researchers from the SeGRID-team.

The online module gives you as participants comprehensive knowledge about sustainable and democratic digital governance anchored in research and practice. The discussions cover a wide array of topics, including citizens' utilisation of digital public services, automation and innovation within the public sector, best practices, and cybersecurity.

 

On-site module in June for Eastern Europe and in August for the Western Balkans

Following the online module, the on-site module is hosted in Sweden. The activities consist of teamwork, networking, social events, and study visits to both public and private sectors pioneering in digital transformation in Sweden.

Accommodation will be provided in a hotel situated near the university campus in Linköping.

In previous years, the course has included study visits to Government Offices of Sweden, The National Library of Sweden, The Swedish Internet Foundation, and the Norrköping Visualisation Centre, Linköping Science Park, Wallenberg AI Autonomous Systems and Software Program, as well as Linköping and Norrköping Municipality. 

 

SeGRID previous years

Q and A

Questions and Answers regarding the organisation of SeGRID 2024

What does the course cost?

The course is completely funded, with no expenses required from the participants. This includes travel, accommodation, and all meals.

How many credits do I get for the course?

This course is designed for young professionals, rather than university students, and therefore does not offer university credits. Participation requires possession of a university degree.

Do I need an English language certificate?

If you have completed your university studies in English, this will be accepted as proof of your proficiency. Alternatively, if you can demonstrate your competence through other means. English language proficiency will also be assessed during the interview process.

I have applied for SeGRID but have still not received any confirmation regarding if I am accepted or not. When and how will I find out?

Acceptance letters will be dispatched to selected participants at the start of May 2024, following a selection process conducted according to the Swedish Institute's criteria. Applicants who are not selected will be notified via email. Regrettably, we are unable to provide feedback on the reasons for the non-selection of specific applicants.

At what time will the activities take place during the day of the online week, will I have to take time off from work?

The sessions where your attendance is required online with the SeGRID team and other participants will last approximately 2,5 hours and take place in the afternoon or evening (CET time) on the specified dates each week. Your tutor will schedule these times, and you will be informed of them upon acceptance into the program, allowing you to arrange your schedule accordingly.

Will you share study material with us before the digital and on-site modules?

Yes, we use the Teams platform to upload and share all material with you.

I do not have a Teams, will I miss out on information from you, or should I open an account? 

No, you will receive all necessary information by e-mail from us organisers. We will add you to the Teams platform via your email address.

How many days do you plan for on-campus in Sweden?

Each group will spend about a week in Sweden (including travel days) with activities planned both on campus in Linköping, Norrköping and in Stockholm.

Can we organise ourselves in a Whatsapp-group (in a specific country, and in the whole SAYP group)?

Certainly, once we receive the finalised list of participants from the Swedish Institute, we will facilitate opportunities for you to begin networking with your fellow SeGRID course attendees.

Will our assignments be graded?

While your assignments will not receive traditional grades, we do expect you to actively participate in both the digital and on-site modules. Active engagement in the digital module is a prerequisite for attending the on-site week in Sweden.

Is the first part connected to the second part of the SeGRID course?

Yes, and in order to be considered for the on-site module, you will have to take an active part in the online module.

Team SeGRID

Facilities

Cooperation for the promotion of democracy

Swedish Institutes and the situation in Ukraine

Strengthening democratic governance has never been more important.

We at Linköping University, together with the Swedish Institute, are committed to supporting our partner countries. We have many alumni from Ukraine and will continue our cooperation for the promotion of democracy. Join our Sustainable and Democratic Digital Governance programme to continue your journey on building a democratic Europe.

More information about the Swedish Institute’s response to the current situation in Ukraine.