Frequently Asked Questions

Planning and designing a BRIDGE program

Q: How do I arrange for a BRIDGE program to be run in my country or organisation?: Consideration of the use of the BRIDGE curriculum may be prompted in a number of ways and while BRIDGE is a powerful professional development tool, BRIDGE programs are extremely diverse and their design can be influenced by the organisation, circumstances, timing in the electoral cycle, funding and participant needs, as well as regional and cultural contexts.

To speak with a BRIDGE Partner about running a BRIDGE program in your country or organisation please complete the online contact form providing some information about why you are interested in BRIDGE.
Q: Can BRIDGE be used as operational training?: BRIDGE is not operational training, but the BRIDGE methodology can be applied to operational training. Alternatively, BRIDGE module workshops can be combined with operational training.

One of the key features of BRIDGE is that the concepts, ideas and tools discussed and explored by participants are directly relevant to the operational activities conducted by an electoral management body, for example operational tools such as planning documents or sustainability plans are covered in the curriculum.

Learn more about the BRIDGE methodology and the most common types of workshops included in a BRIDGE program.
Q: What is the difference between a BRIDGE module workshop and a Train the Facilitator (TtF) course?: The aim of BRIDGE module workshops is to provide a sound introduction to all aspects of electoral administration. It is suitable for all stakeholders in the electoral process, from electoral administrators to political contestants, members of the media, academics and others.

The Train the Facilitator (TtF) course provides potential BRIDGE Workshop Facilitators with critical and practical skills and knowledge about the BRIDGE curriculum and methodology.

Learn more about BRIDGE workshops or about becoming a BRIDGE facilitator.
Q: Is BRIDGE a formal qualification?: If you attend a BRIDGE module workshop you will receive a certificate of participation; BRIDGE is not a formal qualification. BRIDGE is designed to be a professional development tool that will build your knowledge and skills and assist you in your electoral work.
Q: What are the costs of running a BRIDGE workshop?: The costs of running a BRIDGE workshop will vary depending on context and location. There is no fee to use the BRIDGE curriculum, but the rules of BRIDGE must be followed.

Possible costs may include:
• facilitator fees (including time for customisation, preparation and wrapping-up/reporting to the host of the program and the BRIDGE Partners
• facilitator travel (including transport fares, per diem, accommodation, incidentals)
• participant costs (including travel, salary)
• venue hire (including equipment hire, catering)
• resources and materials (including printing and copying, stationery).

Attending BRIDGE workshops

Q: I am interested in attending a BRIDGE workshop. How can I arrange this?: BRIDGE is designed to be part of a wider capacity building effort in an organisation or country, it does not generally conduct public workshops that anyone can attend.

If you would like to attend a BRIDGE workshop, check the BRIDGE events calendar to see if workshops are being conducted in your region. If you see an event you would like to attend, contact the organisation conducting the workshop to see if they will take external participants. If the calendar does not have contact details for the workshop you are interested in, complete the online contact form to see if BRIDGE can put you in contact with the organisers.
Q: Can I participate in BRIDGE online?: BRIDGE is not available as a self-paced online learning program. BRIDGE is most effective delivered as a face-to-face program.

A BRIDGE module workshop is interactive and dynamic and most effective delivered as a face-to-face (in person) program. The BRIDGE methodology encourages participation and recognises that participants have valuable knowledge and experience to share.

The role of the BRIDGE facilitator is not to stand up the front and do all the talking, but rather to draw out the variety of knowledge in the room and to facilitate the sharing of ideas and ways of thinking differently. BRIDGE activities may involve brainstorming, role playing, debating, physical activity, quiet contemplation, problem-solving, storytelling or many other elements. A BRIDGE module workshop is also designed to be inclusive, supportive and friendly.

Recently BRIDGE has adapted its delivery methods to include delivery of BRIDGE module workshops online and hybrid workshops that combine online and face-to-face delivery.
Q: Do I have to pay to attend a workshop?: No BRIDGE participant has been asked to pay tuition fees for attending a BRIDGE workshop. Funding for facilitators, materials, venue and travel is usually met by the host organisation, a donor or more than one organisation in partnership. The BRIDGE Partners do not support the idea of fee-paying BRIDGE workshops and the convention remains that BRIDGE will not be offered on a fee-paying basis.

BRIDGE facilitators

Q: How do I become a BRIDGE facilitator?: If you are interested in becoming a BRIDGE facilitator, you must first attend a BRIDGE module workshop as a participant. You can check the BRIDGE events calendar to see if any workshops are being run in your region, keeping in mind that workshops are generally not conducted as public workshops.

If you see a BRIDGE event you would like to attend, contact the organisation running the workshop to see if they will take external participants. If the calendar does not have contact details for the workshop you are interested in, complete the online contact form to see if BRIDGE can put you in contact with the organisers.

Once you have attended a BRIDGE module workshop, and if you are still interested in becoming a BRIDGE facilitator, the next step is to attend a Train the Facilitator (TtF) course.

Learn more about becoming a BRIDGE facilitator.
Q: What skills and attributes do BRIDGE facilitators need?: Candidates for a Train the Facilitator course are usually required to have the following attributes:
• a background in training
• experience in electoral administration
• familiar with the BRIDGE methodology (i.e. you have participated in a BRIDGE workshop).

Learn more about becoming a BRIDGE facilitator.
Q: Does BRIDGE keep a register of people interested in becoming a BRIDGE facilitator?: No, BRIDGE does not keep a register of people interested in becoming a BRIDGE facilitator.

BRIDGE facilitators are usually trained as part of a broader BRIDGE program to assist in delivering the program objectives; the BRIDGE Partners do not train facilitators speculatively.

If you are interested in becoming a BRIDGE facilitator contact the organisers of broader BRIDGE programs and Train the Facilitator (TtF) courses in your region.

Learn more about becoming a BRIDGE facilitator.
Q: What is the recommended salary of a BRIDGE facilitator?: BRIDGE is not involved in the setting up or negotiation of BRIDGE facilitator/consultancy fees. This is a matter which can only be determined between the BRIDGE facilitator concerned and the employing organisation.

BRIDGE curriculum

Q: Can I access the BRIDGE curriculum materials?: Access to the BRIDGE curriculum and workshop materials is restricted to accredited BRIDGE facilitators, BRIDGE implementers and the BRIDGE Partners.

If you would like to see a sample of the BRIDGE curriculum and you are not a facilitator or BRIDGE Partner, please complete the online contact form explaining why you would like access.

Learn more about the BRIDGE curriculum.
Q: How often is the curriculum updated?: BRIDGE aims to continuously improve the BRIDGE curriculum. BRIDGE facilitators are encouraged to submit feedback to BRIDGE after each workshop on amendments, corrections, additions or other improvements to the curriculum.

Periodically, the BRIDGE Partners will coordinate a focused review and update of the BRIDGE curriculum which involves engaging a curriculum expert and a subject matter expert to review and update a specific module.

Learn more about the BRIDGE curriculum.
Q: Are translations of the BRIDGE curriculum available?: A range of BRIDGE curriculum materials and resources have been translated and are available to the BRIDGE community (i.e. facilitators and BRIDGE Partners). Access to the BRIDGE curriculum and workshop materials is restricted to accredited BRIDGE facilitators, BRIDGE implementers and the BRIDGE Partners.

Learn more about accessing the BRIDGE curriculum.
Q: Didn’t find the answer to your question here?: If you can’t find the answer to your question here please contact BRIDGE directly using the online contact form.