Democracies around the world face major long-term challenges, including climate change, the use of new technologies, and demographic shifts, but they are often ill-equipped to respond to them, mainly because of a short-term mindset influenced by electoral cycles, political incentives and constraints, and vested interests. At the same time, young people increasingly demand that their interests be acknowledged and their future opportunities protected.

Based on International IDEA research on institutional innovations and climate governance, this curriculum overview describes a set of training modules designed to support the strengthening of formal democratic institutions—including governments, parliaments, and independent agencies—for long-term policymaking, with specific reference to climate and environmental policies. Targeting decision-makers, analysts, and civil society actors, the overview presents a set of activities that can be rolled out in person or remotely and adapted to the needs and interests of participants.