The cohort training model is a different approach to how public officials build expertise in macroeconomic policy. Departing from traditional stand-alone courses, this model brings together the same group of participants to progress through a series of thematically connected learning experiences. This structured approach fosters continuity, allowing participants to deepen their understanding over time while applying new knowledge to real-world challenges. By learning and growing together, participants also develop strong peer networks that extend beyond the classroom, networks that can support collaboration and knowledge-sharing long after the training ends.
The IMF Cohort Training on Fiscal Policy Analysis and Sustainability course is an example of this innovative training model. The training started with an in-person segment on Fiscal Policy Analysis (FPA) delivered at the JVI over two weeks in July 2025. The FPA course equips participants with the core macro-fiscal tools needed to assess the fiscal stance, to evaluate tax and expenditure policies, and to understand the role of fiscal policy in promoting macroeconomic stability and long-term, inclusive growth. Through lectures, hands-on workshops, case studies, and interactive review sessions, participants gain both technical skills and strategic insights. The course also introduces the IMF’s Debt Dynamics Tool (DDT), which participants will use to analyze their own national data and to project public debt in the next phase of the cohort training.
Following the FPA course, participants engage in between-course assignments and reconvene for the Fiscal Sustainability (FS) course in September 2025. This second in-person segment builds on the FPA foundation, taking participants through advanced debt sustainability analysis, stress testing, and fiscal adjustment strategies. By the end of the program, participants are not only equipped to conduct comprehensive fiscal assessments for their countries but are also empowered to advocate for evidence-based policy reforms. This cohort training model, jointly delivered by the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development and the Joint Vienna Institute, offers a powerful blend of continuity, collaboration, and applied learning, thus preparing today’s policymakers to meet tomorrow’s fiscal challenges.
Rodolfo Maino, Senior Economist, Institute for Capacity Development, IMF
Tatiana Evdokimova and Markus Eller, Senior Economists, JVI