Inaugural Session of the Postgraduate Programme in Local Government Management in Challenging Times

2026-05-08

ISMT marked the beginning of the new Postgraduate programme of the Coimbra School today with an inaugural session dedicated to the challenges of local administration, announcing that applications for the first edition remain open

ISMT's Coimbra School has launched its new advanced training programme focused on the contemporary challenges of local public administration.

Today, 8 May 2026, ISMT's Coimbra School held the opening session of the Post-Graduate Course in Local Government Management in Challenging Times. The event featured a presentation by João Paulo Barbosa de Melo, lecturer and programme coordinator, who addressed the increasing complexities faced by local governments in managing essential services, mobility, and financing.

The opening session was attended by the President of the ISMT Board of Directors, Manuel Castelo Branco, Board Member Miguel Fonseca, Sara Lopes, representing the Coimbra School, and Isa Magalhães, Secretary of the Board of Directors. The presence of the institutional leadership highlighted the commitment to qualifying professionals capable of managing the climate transition, the decentralisation of powers, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence into public administration.

The curriculum for this post-graduate course runs until mid-July in its initial phase, with a scheduled return in September. This training is designed for professionals in local and regional administration, as well as those interested in public management and coordination roles. The application process for this first edition remains open, and interested parties can register via the digital form available at https://forms.gle/49pPtgPdGpXhEzP28.