Now Accepting Applications — Three Cohorts: Sep · Oct · Nov 2026

Potsdam Executive Programme Delivery Lab · September · October · November 2026 · Africa & Beyond

Deliver.Now.

African Government Leaders Solving Real Problems.
10 days. Potsdam, Germany. Founded to serve African government leaders, the Potsdam Executive Programme Delivery Lab welcomes senior officials from governments worldwide who share the challenge of translating policy into real delivery. 10 days. Potsdam, Germany. Real projects. Real peer learning. Real results. Fully residential — accommodation and meals included.

Apply for September 2026 Explore the Program

Intensive Days

Leaders Per Cohort

Lab Focus Areas

Global

Africa & Beyond

September 2026 Cohort

Dates 7–18 September 2026

Location Potsdam, Germany

Duration 10 Days Residential

Arrival 6 September

Departure 20 September

Programme Fee €7,900

Places Available 25 Max

Accommodation Fully Included

Applications Close 31 July 2026

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About the Program

Government That
Actually Delivers

The Potsdam Executive Programme Delivery Lab is a 10-day immersive executive program founded to serve African government leaders and open to senior officials from governments worldwide who face the same challenge: translating policy, plans, and investment into tangible results — in infrastructure, energy, mobility, and digital services — under real constraints.

This is not a conference. Not a workshop. Not a study tour. It is a structured problem-solving lab where each participant works on their own live project, supported by peers, German technical practitioners, and a facilitated delivery framework.

Every participant leaves with a structured First-Phase Blueprint — peer-reviewed and informed by German technical practice, ready to guide implementation on return. The program is fully residential with accommodation, breakfast and lunch included.

Sub-national

Designed for city, district, county, municipal, and regional government leaders

€7,900

All-inclusive program fee. Accommodation, breakfast & lunch, facilitation & site visits

Fully
Residential

Accommodation, breakfast and lunch included. Fully residential in Potsdam — away from daily pressures, focused entirely on delivery

100%

Implementation focus. Every session tied to a real deliverable

Senior government officials in executive session

Senior Leaders. Real Projects. Real Results.

Every participant works on a live institutional challenge

What You Work On

Four Lab Focus Areas

Government delivery and project management

Lab Focus Area — 01

Delivering Government Results at Scale

Leading Change from Policy to Implementation. Driving execution, unblocking bottlenecks, and delivering measurable results.

PMO DesignDelivery SystemsCoordinationImplementation

Lab Focus Area — 02

The Energy Transition: Urban & Rural Energy Systems

From Fuel Dependency to Energy Sovereignty. Scalable, decentralized, and investment-ready energy solutions at city and community level.

Smart GridsMini-GridsGreen HydrogenPPP Financing

Lab Focus Area — 03

Green Urban Mobility

From Pilot Projects to Scalable City Systems. Integrated e-mobility ecosystems for public transport, logistics, and urban movement.

E-MobilitySeed & ScaleCharging InfraFleet Design

Lab Focus Area — 04

The Digital Accelerator

Velocity in Administration, Integrity in Delivery. Using AI to reclaim time, protect public money, and serve citizens faster.

Agentic AIProcurement ShieldDigital PMOKnowledge Vault

Who Should Attend

Built For Leaders Who Deliver — Africa & Beyond

Sub-national Government Leaders

Senior officials from city, district, county, municipal, and regional governments — the level where delivery actually happens.

Heads of Planning, Infrastructure & Technical Services

Senior officials overseeing infrastructure, transport, energy, water, ICT, and public works at local and sub-national level.

Heads of PMOs & Presidential Delivery Units

Leaders of Project Management Offices and implementation units driving cross-sector reform and strategic programme delivery.

Directors-General & Permanent Secretaries

Senior officials responsible for translating policy into delivery across complex, multi-sector government programmes.

September 2026 — Open To

🌍African GovernmentsPrimary Focus

🌐Governments WorldwideAll Welcome

Founded to serve African government leaders. Open to senior officials from governments worldwide who share the challenge of translating policy into real delivery. Selection based on seniority, sector relevance, and project strength — not geography.

10-Day Structure

How the Lab Works

Phase 17–8 September · 3 Hours daily

Reality Check — Understanding Delivery Challenges

Ground participants in the real factors that determine project success or failure. African case studies, barrier identification, and facilitated peer discussions on lessons from both successes and failures.

Phase 29–11 September · 5 Hours daily

Systems & Delivery Models — Tools and Approaches

Practical frameworks and hands-on tools co-facilitated with German companies and technical practitioners across energy, mobility, infrastructure, and digital government.

Phase 312–13 September · Full Day

Field & Systems Exposure — Site Visits

Visits to German infrastructure facilities, energy installations, mobility operations, and digital government systems. Extract transferable lessons from functioning operational models firsthand.

Phase 415–16 September · 6–7 Hours

The LAB — Solving Your Real Challenges

The core of the program. Each participant works on their own live project with peer review and structured facilitation. The objective: a structured First-Phase Blueprint before leaving Potsdam.

Phase 517–18 September · 2 Hours

Commitment & Continuity — Embedding Results

Presentation and peer validation of First-Phase Blueprints. Formation of peer accountability networks. A clear starting point for implementation back home, informed by German technical partners where relevant.

Cultural11 September Afternoon · Free Time

Potsdam & Berlin — Cultural Discovery

A guided half-day tour of Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace and historic old town, followed by a free evening in Berlin — 30 minutes by train. A natural energy recovery point mid-program. No programme obligations. Participants explore at their own pace.

NetworkingSaturday 19 September · Evening

Networking Dinner & Farewell Evening

A formal networking dinner bringing together all participants, German company partners, and program facilitators. The natural capstone to the program — celebrating completed First-Phase Blueprints, deepening peer connections, and building relationships with German technical partners. Participants depart on Sunday 20 September.

Why Potsdam, Germany

The Right Place to
Think Differently

Germany's Centre of Government Thinking

Potsdam is home to Germany's leading governance, policy and development institutions — the right environment for executive-level thinking and reform.

Direct Access to German Technical Expertise

Site visits to and facilitation by German companies operating in energy, mobility, infrastructure and digital government — among the best operational systems in the world.

Distance Creates Strategic Clarity

Being removed from daily pressures allows senior officials to think strategically. The best reform decisions are made when you step back from the office.

A Dedicated Delivery Platform

Founded to serve African government leaders, VerdexLab Government Programme Delivery Centre is open to senior officials from governments worldwide facing the same delivery challenge. Every element is designed around real projects and real implementation — not geography.

Comfortable Residential Accommodation

Participants are accommodated in comfortable 3–4 star hotel accommodation in central Potsdam, within easy reach of all programme venues and site visit transport. Full accommodation details are confirmed upon acceptance. Arrival: Sunday 6 September. Departure: Sunday 20 September.

The problem is never the plan. The problem is always the delivery.

— The Core Principle of Every Lab

German Company Partnerships

Partner With Access

We invite a strictly limited number of German companies to join the Potsdam Executive Programme Delivery Lab as facilitation partners — sharing technical expertise, operational knowledge, and real-world solutions with senior government leaders working on live delivery challenges.

Sector Partner

Exclusive sector representation — one company per Lab Focus Area

Enquire →

1 facilitated session (3 hours)Exclusive sector — no competitorsLogo on all materials1 networking dinner seatParticipant contact list (with consent)Co-branded session documentation

Associate Partner

Presentation and networking access

Enquire →

30-minute presentation slotLogo on all materialsNetworking dinner accessListed as Associate Partner

Site Visit Host

Host participants at your German facility

Enquire →

Half-day facility visitCompany introduction sessionLogo on site visit materialsDirect face time with participant group

Important: All partnerships are knowledge-sharing arrangements. Partners facilitate sessions and share expertise — not products. Business conversations happen at networking events, not in the classroom. Partnership details including investment levels are shared directly upon enquiry. Contact Stephan Boehnke, Strategic Partnership Director: stephan@boehnke-hr-consult.com · +49 177 2995446

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know

Who exactly is this program designed for?

The program is founded for senior African government officials and is open to senior officials from sub-national governments worldwide — Directors-General, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of PMOs, and Heads of Infrastructure, Energy, ICT and Transport — who are actively responsible for delivering government programmes. Participants must have a live project or reform challenge they are working on. Officials below the level of Director or equivalent will not be admitted.

What does the €7,900 programme fee include?

The program fee covers: 10 nights accommodation in Potsdam, all breakfasts and lunches during the program, two formal group dinners, all facilitation and speakers, all site visits and in-program transport, program workbooks and materials, and your Certificate of Completion. It does not cover: international flights, personal expenses, or travel insurance. In-program transport and site visit transfers are fully covered. Available and convenient transport is provided whenever the need arises during the program.

Do I need a German visa? How does that work?

Yes. All participants from outside the European Union require a Schengen visa to enter Germany. Once you are accepted into the program, VerdexLab will issue you an official invitation letter to support your visa application. We recommend applying for your visa at least 8 weeks before the program start date. See our Visa Information section below for full details.

Can my institution nominate more than one person?

Yes — institutions may nominate up to two participants per cohort. We recommend selecting participants from different departments or who are working on different project types to maximise the learning return for your institution. All nominees are subject to individual eligibility assessment and selection.

What project do I need to bring to the lab?

You should bring a real, live project or reform challenge that you are currently responsible for — something that is stalled, underperforming, or that you are about to launch and want to strengthen. The project should be within your authority to act on. It does not need to be fully defined — part of the lab is helping you structure and sharpen your approach. Infrastructure, energy, mobility, digital services, and cross-sector reform programmes all qualify.

Is the program in English?

Yes. The entire program is delivered in English. All materials, presentations, site visit briefings, and documentation are in English. No German language proficiency is required.

What happens after the lab ends?

On Day 10, every participant presents their First-Phase Blueprint to the group and commits to specific implementation milestones. You leave with this Blueprint, a peer accountability network of fellow participants, and where relevant, introductions to German technical partners who can support implementation. VerdexLab also offers optional post-lab follow-up sessions for alumni cohorts.

How do I apply or nominate a colleague?

Use the application form on this page or download our full Nomination Pack. Institutional nominations should be submitted on official letterhead with a brief description of the nominee's role and the project they will bring to the lab. All applications are reviewed within 10 working days. Places are strictly limited to 25 per cohort and are allocated on merit and relevance, not on a first-come basis.

Optional Add-On

Visa Support Service

Participants who require assistance with their visa application may request our Visa Support Service.

This service includes

✓Official invitation letter for visa application
✓Confirmation of event participation
✓Guidance on required documentation
✓Administrative support and coordination throughout the application process

Service Fee

€250

Optional — available to accepted participants only

Important Information

Visa application fees are set by the German authorities and must be paid directly by the applicant to the embassy or visa application centre.
The Visa Support Service fee does not include visa application fees.
The organisers do not influence visa decisions. Approval is solely at the discretion of the German authorities.

To request the Visa Support Service

Contact us after receiving your acceptance letter at applications@verdexlab.de or +49 176 32480 184. This service is available to accepted participants only.

Visa & Travel Information

Schengen Visa Guide

All non-EU participants require a Schengen visa to enter Germany. VerdexLab supports every accepted participant through this process with an official invitation letter and full pre-arrival guidance.

Apply and be accepted to the program — receive your acceptance letter from VerdexLab

VerdexLab issues your official invitation letter in German and English for the German Embassy

Book your visa appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate in your country — do this immediately after acceptance

Submit your application with invitation letter, program confirmation, accommodation proof, and travel insurance

Allow 8–10 weeks from visa application to travel date minimum

Key Dates — September 2026

Nominations Close31 July 2026

Acceptance ConfirmedBy 10 August 2026

Invitation Letters IssuedBy 14 August 2026

Visa Application — Recommended by20 August 2026

50% Fee Deposit DueUpon Acceptance

Balance Due4 Weeks Before Program

Participant ArrivalSunday 6 September 2026

Program StartsMonday 7 September 2026

Program EndsFriday 18 September 2026

Networking DinnerSaturday 19 September 2026

Departure DaySunday 20 September 2026

Important: Do not book flights until your visa is confirmed. VerdexLab will provide full pre-arrival logistics guidance to all accepted participants including recommended flight routes and arrival instructions for Potsdam.

Applications Open

Ready to Deliver?

Submit your enquiry or nomination below. The program is founded for African government leaders and open to senior officials from governments worldwide. All applications are reviewed within 10 working days. Places are limited to 25 participants per cohort and allocated on merit and relevance — not geography.

Participants selected based on seniority, sector relevance, and project challenge strength

Institutional nominations welcome — submit on official letterhead

VerdexLab issues official invitation letter for Schengen visa upon acceptance

Partner enquiries welcome — contact Stephan Boehnke, Strategic Partnership Director: stephan@boehnke-hr-consult.com · +49 177 2995446

Application & Enquiry Form

For participants, nominators, and company partners

First Name *

Last Name *

Official Title / Designation *

Institution / Organisation *

Country *

Preferred Cohort *

Enquiry Type *

Email Address *

Phone Number

Brief Description of Your Role & Project Challenge

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by VerdexLab Government Programme Delivery Centre regarding this program. Your information will not be shared with third parties without your consent. C/O JTS Jobhouse Training Services UG (haftungsbeschränkt), August-Bebel-Str. 89, 14482 Potsdam, Germany.

Arrival	Sun 5 October
Programme	6–17 October
Dinner	Sat 18 October
Departure	Sun 19 October
Deadline	31 August 2026

Arrival	Sun 2 November
Programme	3–14 November
Dinner	Sat 15 November
Departure	Sun 16 November
Deadline	30 September 2026

Arrival	Sun 6 September
Programme	7–18 September
Dinner	Sat 19 September
Departure	Sun 20 September
Deadline	31 July 2026

Deliver.Now.

Government ThatActually Delivers

Senior Leaders. Real Projects. Real Results.

Four Lab Focus Areas

Delivering Government Results at Scale

The Energy Transition: Urban & Rural Energy Systems

Green Urban Mobility

The Digital Accelerator

Built For Leaders Who Deliver — Africa & Beyond

Sub-national Government Leaders

Heads of Planning, Infrastructure & Technical Services

Heads of PMOs & Presidential Delivery Units

Directors-General & Permanent Secretaries

How the Lab Works

Reality Check — Understanding Delivery Challenges

Systems & Delivery Models — Tools and Approaches

Field & Systems Exposure — Site Visits

The LAB — Solving Your Real Challenges

Commitment & Continuity — Embedding Results

Potsdam & Berlin — Cultural Discovery

Networking Dinner & Farewell Evening

The Right Place toThink Differently

Germany's Centre of Government Thinking

Direct Access to German Technical Expertise

Distance Creates Strategic Clarity

A Dedicated Delivery Platform

Comfortable Residential Accommodation

Partner With Access

Voices From the Lab

Testimonials Coming — September 2026

Everything You Need to Know

Three Cohorts — 2026

Visa Support Service

Schengen Visa Guide

Key Dates — September 2026

From the Lab

Why 80% of African E-Government Projects Fail Before Launch

Mini-Grids at Scale: What African LGAs Can Learn From Germany

The PMO That Actually Works: Why Most Government Project Offices Fail

Potsdam to Home: What 10 Days in Germany Actually Changes

The E-Mobility Trap: Why African Cities Keep Funding Pilots That Never Scale

Ready to Deliver?

Application & Enquiry Form

25 Places.Three Cohorts.

Government That
Actually Delivers

The Right Place to
Think Differently

25 Places.
Three Cohorts.