Rule of Law Training
The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is designed to strengthen institutional capacity in the field of rule of law within government organisations in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Each year we offer (hybrid) training courses, providing participants with insights into best practices across a wide range of rule of law topics.
Through interactive sessions that blend theory with practical skills, as well as study visits, our programme equips policy advisors, members of the judiciary, and other civil servants working in the government and justice sectors with the knowledge and skills needed to drive reforms within their respective countries.
In addition, by taking part in the training programme, participants become part of a large international network of alumni, lecturers, and public institutions in the Netherlands and in the target countries. This network serves as a platform for learning, exchange, and collaboration.
The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is designed and delivered by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Leiden Law School, and The Hague Academy for Local Governance. The programme is commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Ministry. For questions relating to the Matra Rule of Law Training Programme please contact us via matrarolt@nhc.nl
In 2026 and 2027 the following hybrid training courses will be offered:
1. Management of Borders (brochure) (apply here)
All Matra countries share common challenges when it comes to migration, asylum, border management and organised transnational crime. The Western Balkans and Turkey are located on the crossroads of migration routes from conflict areas to EU member states, while Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine share common challenges in the field of border management and adjusting national legislation in order to meet the EU acquis.
In this training, participants will strengthen their knowledge of EU asylum law and its interpretation by European courts. Sessions will be dedicated to the EU acquis, including the EU return and readmission policy. In the field of border management, participants will learn about Schengen legislation and the mandate of Frontex, whiles sessions will also be held on the fight against organised crime. This training will be held online from 28 September – 09 October 2026, and in-person from 26 October – 06 November 2026.
2. Democratic Institutions (brochure) (apply here)
Well-functioning institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law and human rights are essential for a democratic society. They are also one of the key pillars on which the EU’s identity and values are based. These institutions must guarantee and safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms, while remaining open, accountable and responsive to citizens. The “democratic compass” of the participants is central to this training.
In this training, we look not only at international and European standards (including the role of the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe and relevant monitoring mechanisms) but also at practice. We look at the pillars of the democratic constitutional state and the relationship between the various institutions, including executive, legislative, supervisory and judicial actors. We also discuss the role of civil servants, civil society, media and counterpower, as well as concepts and tools for participatory policymaking, inclusive governance, open government and accountability. Attention is paid to elections, citizens’ rights (such as appeal and objection procedures, access to information and the right to protest) and the obligations of government. The programme also reflects on democratic resilience, civic space and relevant Dutch and European institutional practices.
This training will be held online from 28 September – 09 October 2026, and in-person from 26 October – 06 November 2026.
3. Human Rights (brochure) (apply here)
In its relations with pre-accession and Eastern Partnership countries, the European Union requires stable government institutions that are able to guarantee the rule of law, human rights and protection of minorities. This means that national legislation is in line with international and European standards, that procedures exist to update legislation when necessary, and that this legislation is implemented properly. All government policy initiatives must be monitored for their impact on (human) rights and there must be mechanisms for monitoring and correcting practices that conflict with these rights. This training therefore looks at mechanisms and policies that can be used to (better) safeguard internationally agreed human rights standards.
This training will be held online from 09-20 November 2026, and in-person from 30 November – 11 December 2026.
4. Integrity of Civil Servants (brochure) (apply here)
Public integrity is a core value of the European vision on good governance. It is essential for a well-functioning and transparent government, and an important precondition for economic growth. This training will help participants developing integrity policies, in order
to ensure transparency, accountability, efficiency, and ethical behaviour within government institutions.
This training will focus on three pillars of public integrity as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): system, culture, and accountability. Participants will discuss international and European standards, while also learning about examples and practices from the Netherlands. How are integrity policies designed, implemented, and enforced?
This training will be held online from 09-20 November 2026, and in-person from 30 November – 11 December 2026.
5. Public Procurement
The acquis on public procurement includes general principles of transparency, free movement of goods, and non-discrimination. In addition, specific EU rules apply for the coordination of awarding public works contracts, services and supplies. Government contracts are of great economic and strategic importance and it is therefore necessary that systems are designed in such a way that conflicts of interest and corruption are prevented as much as possible.
With this training, we want to increase knowledge of European regulations in the field of public procurement by looking at Dutch and international experience with regard to legitimacy and integrity of the purchasing process. Strong, independent institutions protect the integrity of the system. This prevents inappropriate political or economic influence. This training also pays attention to gender responsive and transformative public procurement, showing casing how public procurement can contribute to increasing gender equality.
This training will be held online from 15-26 February 2027, and in-person from 15-26 February 2027.
6. Administration of Justice
This training will focus on the “judicial” dimension of Chapter 23. The training will focus on the fundamental principles of judicial organisation under the EU acquis – with a special focus on the case law of the EU Court of Justice – and groundbreaking case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Participants will also learn about best practices in the administration of justice in the Netherlands, and the organisation and functioning of the judiciary. Participants will be introduced to the concept of independence and impartiality as developed in the robust case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Participants will discuss the legal framework regarding the principles of accountability and independence and the application of these principles; judicial culture as a backdrop
against which courts function; the role of judicial councils and the role of precedent in legal practice.
This training will be held online from 15-26 February 2027, and in-person from 15-26 February 2027.
7. Management of Public Services
This training addresses the question of how the public sector can be better organised to enable good public services. We look at the public sector from the perspective of multi-level governance: cooperation and coordination between multiple layers of government, non-government actors and citizens for effective and efficient public services. Challenges surrounding decentralisation and privatisation (including public-private partnerships) are discussed, including the financing of services. We also discuss the potential of digitalisation to make services more efficient, transparent and accessible, as well as accompanying challenges – for example regarding privacy, data security and the digital divide. We discuss the importance of good personnel policy for well-functioning public institutions and services. We look at issues such as merit-based selection and promotion, transparent performance assessments and offering training and development opportunities to government officials.
This training will be held online from 12-23 April 2027, and in-person from 31 May – 11 June 2027.
8. Management of Borders
All Matra countries share common challenges when it comes to migration, asylum, border management and organised transnational crime. The Western Balkans and Turkey are located on the crossroads of migration routes from conflict areas to EU member states, while Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine share common challenges in the field of border management and adjusting national legislation in order to meet the EU acquis.
In this training, participants will strengthen their knowledge of EU asylum law and its interpretation by European courts. Sessions will be dedicated to the EU acquis, including the EU return and readmission policy. In the field of border management, participants will learn about Schengen legislation and the mandate of Frontex, whiles sessions will also be held on the fight against organised crime.
This training will be held online from 12-23 April 2027, and in-person from 31 May – 11 June 2027.
9. Human Rights
In its relations with pre-accession and Eastern Partnership countries, the European Union requires stable government institutions that are able to guarantee the rule of law, human rights and protection of minorities. This means that national legislation is in line with international and European standards, that procedures exist to update legislation when necessary, and that this legislation is implemented properly. All government policy initiatives must be monitored for their impact on (human) rights and there must be mechanisms for monitoring and correcting practices that conflict with these rights. This training therefore looks at mechanisms and policies that can be used to (better) safeguard internationally agreed human rights standards.
This training will be held online from 12-23 April 2027, and in-person from 31 May – 11 June 2027.
