The Robert Schuman Institute, in co-operation with the Institute for Popular Studies with the support of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung Romanian office organises a seminar for local candidates of EPP member parties from Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine.

This event will provide an opportunity for thematic upgrade of skills and expertise for those preparing to stand as local candidates or first time elected local politicians of limited experience – for those coming outside of Romania. The seminar will further support regional cooperation by experience exchange and network building.

We will select 10 participants from the above mentioned countries on the basis of individual applications recommended by relevant parties.

Dates: 2 working days as follows:

19 – 20 March, 2016 (Timisoara, Romania)
arrival: 18 March Friday evening or 19 March Saturday morning before 10h00
departure: 20 March Sunday, after 16h00

Program components:

• set-up of candidates and candidate profiles
• elements of personal branding
• crisis communication in politics
• effective collaboration with media
• delivery message
• public speaking
Working language: English (no translation will be provided)

Pre-requisites: • CV, letter of recommendation written by a BPN member, letter of intent
• High level written and oral proficiency in English

Application process The following need to be sent to office@isp.org.ro

Please note that the applications will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 09 AM on 7 March (Monday)

18 March, Friday

20.30 – 22.00 Arrivals

19 March, Saturday

10.00 – 10.30 Opening by
Razvan ORASANU, Executive Director, Institute for Popular Studies
Gábor BERCZELI, Acting Director, Robert Schuman Institute
10.30 – 12.00 Introduction: What is a political campaign?
Tomislav DAMNJANOVIC, Political Consultant, Serbia (conf.)
12.00 – 13.30 Lunch break
13.30 – 15.00 Candidate profiles and elements of personal branding
Tomislav DAMNJANOVIC
15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break
15.30 – 17.00 Message development
Tomislav DAMNJANOVIC
17.00 – 17.30 Coffee break
17.30 – 19.00 How to write your biography and stump speech
Tomislav DAMNJANOVIC
19.30 Google and campaigns in the digital age (tbc.)
Marta POSLAD, Senior Policy Analyst at Google Brussels Office

20.45 – 22.00 Dinner at Hotel Timisoara

20 March, Sunday
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY: THE KEY TO EVERY ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN

09.00 – 10.00 Introduction to communication strategy in electoral campaigns
Alfonso SERRANO SÁNCHEZ-CAPUCHINO, Director of the Electoral Department, Partido Popular, Spain (conf.)
10.00 – 10.15 Break
10.15 – 11.15 How to use the media to improve your campaign
Alfonso SERRANO SÁNCHEZ-CAPUCHINO
11.15 – 11.30 Coffee break

11.30 – 12.30 Communication strategy in local elections
Alfonso SERRANO SÁNCHEZ-CAPUCHINO
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch break
13.30 – 15.00 From mass media to micro campaign
Alfonso SERRANO SÁNCHEZ-CAPUCHINO

15.00 – 15.30 Closing remarks and final evaluation

15.30 – Departures