The third and final module of the 2025 Drug Policy Executive Course, organised in co-operation with the National Centre for Prevention of Addictions of Poland, took place from 23 to 26 September in Kraków.

The Executive Course was developed by the Pompidou Group’s International Drug Policy Academy (IDPA) for professionals serving as managers or senior team members in the field of drug policy and addictions. It comprises three in-residence modules: one traditionally hosted by the Pompidou Group’s Secretariat in Strasbourg, and two others held in locations hosted by the Academy’s partner institutions.

Following the previous modules—Module I in Valletta, Malta, which introduced the fundamentals of multidisciplinary drug policy, and Module II in Strasbourg, France, which deepened knowledge through exchanges on international policy, law, and governance—Module III focused on developing practical competencies in monitoring, evaluation, and communication.

Over four intensive days, participants explored how to bridge research, practice, and policymaking; apply data-driven monitoring methods and indicators; design and assess policies and programmes; and communicate outcomes effectively to diverse audiences. The Module’s sessions combined expert-led lectures with interactive group work, culminating in the presentation of “Road Map” projects developed by the participants.

The Module III of the Executive Course concluded with a Certificate Award Ceremony, marking the graduation of the third cohort of participants who successfully completed the Course. The 2025 Executive Course’ graduates comprised 18 professionals from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and North America, as well as from international organisations. They represented a broad range of profiles, including professionals engaged in prevention, harm reduction and treatment from public administration, academia, health research, law enforcement, and civil society.

International experts from France, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, and institutions such as the European Union Drug Agency (EUDA), as well as the Academy’s key partner institutions—Syracuse University and the University of Malta—contributed to the faculty. Their expertise spanned a wide range of aspects related to drugs and addictions, including neuroscience, criminology, communication, and human rights.

“The Executive Course continues to show the value of bridging science, policy, and practice to tackle the complex realities of drug policy” said Professor Richard Muscat, Chair of the IDPA’s Governing Board.

Participants provided highly positive feedback on the programme, highlighting its practical relevance and the valuable opportunities it offered for cross-border professional exchange. An external assessment of the 2025 Executive Course outcomes will further inform the future work of the Pompidou Group Academy and the next cycle of the Executive Course.

About the IDPA

Founded by the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group, the IDPA is the first global training and education body devoted to drug policy. It brings together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and civil society to promote evidence-based and human-rights approaches. Through executive courses, seminars, and capacity-building initiatives, the Academy equips professionals to design, implement and evaluate effective drug policies worldwide.