Training Opportunities

TASC provides training on topics covered in this Toolkit. 

Our current programmes include:

Open Government Toolkit Training

As part of our ongoing training on open government topics, TASC is providing the following training workshops in Dublin in October 2015:

Following the Money: How to Understand and Influence Public Spending

Course details

This half-day workshop will show you that you don't need an economics background to understand public income and spending data, as you learn how to identify the parts of the annual Budget most relevant to your particular area of interest.

And most interesting of all, you'll also discover how you can influence key finance officials and policy makers who make decisions about how public spending is allocated.

Participants will be introduced to:

• Basic concepts (and jargon) of public finance and public spending.
• A comprehensive overview of how public expenditure is raised and spending determined.
• Fundamentals of the annual budgetary process and the ‘big picture’ of public expenditure.
• Case studies and practical exercises.

Learning outcomes

Following this half-day workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand public income and spending data.
• Identify and analyse the parts of the Budget relevant to their area of interest.
• Frame their arguments in the language of money that finance officials and policy-makers understand.

Facilitator: TASC staff member.

Working for Change: How to shape local and national policies

Get the 'inside knowledge' you need to make your vision succeed with this workshop on how government works, how decisions are made and how policy is implemented.

Course details

This half-day workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to identify how policy is made and how policy solutions can be progressed effectively. You will learn how government really works and how to identify who has the power to bring about changes you seek.

You will also learn how open government ‘tools,’ like Freedom of Information requests, can help increase the effectiveness of research, analysis and advocacy efforts. You will leave with the necessary knowledge and skills to devise and apply strategies for influencing public representatives and public bodies.

Participants will be introduced to:

• The institutions, stakeholders and decision-makers involved in making and shaping policies at national level.
• The Freedom of Information Act and how it can support analysis and strengthen advocacy.
• Case studies and practical exercises.

Learning outcomes

Following this half-day workshop participants should be able to:

• Understand the ‘big picture’ of how policy gets made and who has the power to make change happen.
• Recognise opportunities to engage with decision-makers in developing solid cases for change.
• Identify key documents/records to support information, research or advocacy work.

Facilitator: TASC staff member.

TASC is available to deliver tailored training to groups or individuals.

For more information or to inquire about training opportunities, contact Shana Cohen, scohen@tasc.ie

You can also check our Events page for details of upcoming training workshops run in conjunction with The Wheel.

Download TASC's Training Brochure (PDF).