The course is designed primarily for mid-level government officials, policymakers and other public sector professionals who are involved in digital transformation initiatives. This may include digital transformation officers, project managers, public information officers, policy advisors, public service administrators, software development managers, IT managers, and procurement officers. It is suitable for those who are eager to learn about Digital Public Goods (DPGs) and open-source software (OSS)and leverage these tools effectively in enhancing public service delivery.

The maximum number of participants is limited to 32 persons. 

Participants should have a basic understanding of the role of digital technologies in improving public service delivery and driving development.  The ideal participant is someone who has been involved in digital transformation initiatives and is looking for new tools such as DPGs and open-source technologies to improve their efficiency or performance. The course is open to government officials and policymakers from all countries, but priority will be given to those who are from a developing country. 

Important additional requirements: 

• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or have a minimum of three years of experience in the above-mentioned areas if they do not hold a university degree. 
• Applicants should have experience deploying at least one digital service in public service projects.
• Possess a fluent level of English. 
• Complete the application questionnaire and attach an up-to-date CV, a recommendation letter from their employer, or a motivation letter. 
• Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply. 
• Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire and the recommendation/motivation letter of each applicant.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the concept, key features, and importance of DPGs and OSS in enhancing public service delivery and promoting inclusive digital development 
• Explain the DPG project life cycle and common challenges facing implementers throughout
• Identify opportunities for leveraging DPGs/ OSS to achieve organizational objectives and map out an implementation strategy 
• Describe the roles of policy frameworks and governance models on the uptake and scaling of DPGs
• Evaluate their organizations’ readiness and feasibility in adopting DPGs/ OSS and secure buy-in from leadership
• Understand and leverage the DPGs/ OSS communities to advocate for the adoption of DPGs within and beyond their organizations.

This course will be delivered online via Zoom platform, led by an instructor using PowerPoint slides, short videos, and other creative media. There will be a total of 5 sessions, each session lasting for 2 hours. Sessions 1 to 4 will be held twice a week across 2 weeks while session 5 will be held 2 weeks after session 4.  To maximize interaction and engagement, there will be polls and surveys, breakout sessions for brainstorming and discussions, as well as short presentations throughout the course that encourage participants to draw on their specific environments. Participants will be assigned into small groups of 5-6 to facilitate teamwork and provide networking opportunities. A final project will be given at the end of session 4, requiring participants to work in groups to identify a DPG use case and craft an implementation plan based on real-life scenarios. The course will end with a final session held 2 weeks later, reconvening participants to present their final projects and receive feedback from instructors and peers. Participants will be invited to share their key takeaways from the course with the class.

Timeline of the live sessions: 

• Session 1 – 30 October 2024 (3-5 pm Central European Time)
• Session 2 – 01 November 2024 (3-5 pm Central European Time)
• Session 3 - 06 November 2024 (3-5 pm Central European Time)
• Session 4 - 08 November 2024 (3-5 pm Central European Time)
• Session 5 - 22 November 2024 (2-5 pm Central European Time)

Students’ performance in this course will be determined using a combination of grades for pre-class short quiz, attendance and participation in class/Zoom sessions, and the final project:

• A pre-class short quiz to assess participants’ knowledge level on DPGs and open-source technologies. Completion will be awarded 10 points. 
• Attendance at all live sessions will be awarded 15 points.
• Active contributions to discussion, feedback, and presentation during live sessions will be awarded 15 points.   
• A final group project requires participants to identify an opportunity for implementing a DPG and come up with an implementation plan based on real-life scenarios and assumptions. The project should cover: steps to be taken along the DPG project life cycle, risks, and mitigation measures. Participants will present the project in groups during the final session. Submission - 40 points, good - 50 points, excellent - 60 points

The pre-class knowledge check will account for 10% of the total score, attendance 15%, class participation 15% and the final project 60%. A total score higher than 80% is required to obtain the ITU certificate.

• Session 1: Introduction to DPGs and OSS
  • Topics Covered:
    • Welcome and introduction; knowledge check debrief
    • Definitions and characteristics of DPGs (Digital Public Goods) and OSS (Open Source Software)
    • Importance in public service delivery, development, and innovation
    • Introductions to instructors and fellow participants
  • Key Learning Points:
    • Clarify the objectives of the course and what to expect in subsequent sessions
    • Outline the definitions of DPGs and OSS
    • Describe the key characteristics, principles, and examples of DPGs and OSS
    • Grasp the relationship and synergies between DPGs and OSS
    • Explain the importance of DPGs and OSS in public service delivery, development, and fostering innovation
• Session 2: Implementing DPGs and Other OSS
  • Topics Covered:
    • The software implementation lifecycle
    • Tackling implementation challenges
    • Case study on country-level software implementation
  • Key Learning Points:
    • Describe the software implementation lifecycle: from planning to deployment and maintenance
    • Examine common challenges during implementation and possible solutions
    • Learn tips on working with software vendors new to DPGs/OSS
    • Explore key success factors, challenges, lessons learned, and potential for scaling or duplication through a country-specific case study
• Session 3: Policy Considerations for Advocacy, Adoption, and Maintenance
  • Topics Covered:
    • Role of policy frameworks in DPG/OSS adoption
    • Procurement considerations for OSS vs proprietary software
    • Sustainability and scalability of DPGs and OSS
    • Cybersecurity response strategies
    • Case studies from countries like France, Brazil, and India on government policy initiatives
  • Key Learning Points:
    • Explore the roles of policy frameworks in promoting and enhancing the uptake of DPGs and OSS
    • Understand procurement differences between OSS and proprietary commercial licenses and support contracts
    • Examine the sustainability and scalability of DPGs and OSS, including long-term maintenance and upgrade costs
    • Understand cybersecurity issues and response strategies through case studies
• Session 4: Strategies for Evaluation, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Topics Covered:
    • DPGs/OSS readiness evaluation
    • Securing leadership buy-in
    • Engaging open-source communities
    • Overview of the DPG ecosystem and key players
    • Guest speaker from DPGA Secretariat or member organizations
  • Key Learning Points:
    • Learn methodologies for evaluating an organization’s DPGs/OSS readiness
    • Examine strategies to advocate for DPGs/OSS to leadership and stakeholders
    • Describe the role of open-source communities in driving innovation and fostering inclusive collaboration
    • Understand the DPG ecosystem, including key players from the private sector, civil society, and academia
• Session 5: Wrapping It Up
  • Topics Covered:
    • Final project presentations
    • Key takeaways from the course
  • Key Learning Points:
    • Expand perspectives on DPG use cases and implementation approaches
    • Explore strategies for government collaboration and peer learning on DPGs and OSS topics
    • Refresh key learnings from the course and set actionable goals for real-life application