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Finnish Defence Forces International Centre
Action Officer Date
MAJ Fredrik Wallenberg 29 April 2025
FINCENT
P.O. Box 7
FI-00861 HELSINKI
FINLAND
INVITATION TO APPLY
Peace Support Operations Cooperation Course
(Tactical Level), PSOCC
Dates 29.9. – 10.10. 2025 at FINCENT, Helsinki, Finland
ePRIME Course no: FIN.2732.34
1 Introduction and background
Multidimensional UN Peace Support Operations consists of Civilian, Military
and Police components working in cooperation to implement a UN Security
Council mandate. The PSOCC course addresses the inherently complex
internal cooperation needs between the three components as well as
interaction with host nation and external actors.
The PSOCC course consist of three parts,
The first part is an online pre-study that needs to be completed prior to the 2-
week residential part of the course.
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Secondly, the first residential week at FINCENT will focus on the mission
structure and the roles of the mission components as well as external actors
in a conflict context. Additionally, key mission concepts such as Protection of
Civilians and Women Peace and Security will be covered together with lectures
on negotiation techniques, use of language assistant and report writing.
The third part is the second residential week and will focus on applying
knowledge from the first week during practical negotiations.
2 Peace Support Operations Cooperation Course (PSOCC)
2.1 Purpose and Aim
The aim of the PSOCC is to prepare military, police and civilian personnel for
coordination, cooperation and liaison tasks on a tactical level in
Multidimensional Peace Support Operations led by UN. The student will
develop and improve skills and knowledge to be able to work effectively in a
multicultural environment and enhance interoperability within the peace
support community. The course is suitable for personnel with or without
previous PSO-experience.
2.2 Concept of the Course
PSOCC consists of interactive lectures, case studies, practical exercises and
a final exercise covering the following topics:
• UN Integrated approach
• NATO comprehensive approach
• Interaction with different actors in a contemporary PSO environment
• Cross-cultural, political, social, religious and other factors prevailing
in the mission areas
• Meeting and negotiation techniques
• Information gathering and reporting
2.3 Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the PSOCC the student should be able to:
• Describe UN integrated and NATO comprehensive approaches at
tactical level.
• Comprehend the nature of operational interaction in a PSO.
• Comprehend the collaboration and coordination between different
actors aiming for better liaison and information sharing within and
between different organizations, civil society and authorities, at
tactical level.
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• Gain knowledge related to conflict crisis management, with
emphasizes on gender awareness and cultural awareness and
social media Awareness
3 Participation
3.1 Student Criteria
To be eligible to attend the PSOCC, nominees must fulfill the following criteria:
• Military officers/non-commissioned officers, such as liaison officers,
staff officers, unit commanders etc. who need special skills for
conducting negotiation, liaison, cooperation and coordination with
different actors in a PSO environment.
o Officer from OF-1 (2nd LT) to OF-4 (LTC),
o Non-commissioned officers from OR-7 to OR-9.
• Police officers planning to apply for positions involving coordination
and liaison with other international and local actors, such as Police
Liaison Officers or Police Advisers.
• Civilians wanting to learn more concerning cooperation and
coordination with military and police in a PSO environment.
• Language proficiency: Working level English language skill.
Language testing is a national responsibility. The working language
is English. No additional language training or translation is provided.
• Basic computer skills.
• No previous experience from a PSO is required.
3.2 RFV and Security Clearance
Request for Visit (RFV) or Permit for military staff or unit to enter Finnish territory
is NOT needed. The classification of the course is UNCLASSIFIED. Security
Clearance is not required for this course.
4 Application
FINCENT uses an online application system. The application can be found on
the internet at: https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/PSOCC2025
The application link is open from 29th April to 8th August 2025.
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All applications have to have a certificate of the applicant’s health insurance
and/or travel coverage attached in PDF, JPEG or TIF format.
It is compulsory to provide two (2) additional files attached with the application.
1. Firstly, the sending organization has to write an official request letter
using the organization’s formal style document including a stamp. The
letter should include a justification for the application, outlining the
expected benefit for the student and the sending organization and order
of priority if several applications are submitted. If a subsidy is
requested, the letter has to explain in detail what is required.
2. Secondly, the application has to be accompanied with a scanned
colour copy of the applicant's passport. The passport pages have to
contain the picture, full name, nationality, date of birth, passport number
and passport expiry date.
It is compulsory to fill all questions marked (*) in the form, make sure you have
all needed information and files when filling out the application.
All applications have to be submitted individually, group applications are not
accepted.
All documents have to be written in English. Any letters or other documents
in other languages will be disregarded.
5 Participants Selection
The final date for application is 8th August 2025. Within two weeks after the
application period has ended, FINCENT will inform the applicant whether they
have been selected to the course or not.
Selected students will receive course confirmation letter including general
information concerning travel arrangements, accommodations, clothing,
schedule, etc.
6 Administration
6.1 Course fee
Students are charged with a course fee of 1560€. The course fee includes
accommodation, meals at FINCENT, training, training material and welfare
programs arranged by FINCENT.
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Students from Finland are exempt from the course fee and receive the
accommodation, meals, training, training material and welfare programme
arranged by FINCENT free of charge.
6.2 Payment of the course fee
All payments should preferably be by a credit card (Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro
or Master Card) at FINCENT when the course begins. Cash payment in Euro is
also be accepted. Invoices are used according to the agreement between
Finland and the respective nations (Nordic and EU countries only).
6.3 Student subsidies
Applicants can apply for subsidy from FINCENT covering all teaching,
accommodation, meals and travel. Subsidies are not granted for EU citizens. A
limited number of subsidized seats are available on written request in the official
letter in para 4. Subsidy is granted by FINCENT on case-by-case basis and the
decision will be announced to application in the course confirmation letter.
Subsidized participation includes roundtrip air travel to Helsinki, free teaching,
teaching material and free accommodation, meals and transports outlined in
para 6.4 – 6.6 below. FINCENT will not pay any salary, allowance, visa
application fees, insurances, medical costs or extended stay in Finland.
6.4 Accommodation and meals
Accommodation for the students is provided in Santahamina at FINCENT
premises (Santahamina building).
The daily meals (3 meals/day) are served according to the course programme
at the dining hall in Santahamina on the National Defence University campus.
6.5 Transportation
Transportation to and from Helsinki airport will be offered to all students upon
arrival and departure.
6.6 Social Events
FINCENT will host a mandatory Ice Breaker event on the first evening and a
Closing Dinner on the last evening of the course. During the weekend there is
no teaching and no events will be organized by FINCENT. Students are free
to explore Helsinki by own means. Dress code for social events will be outlined
in the course confirmation letter.
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6.7 VISA application for approved students
Non-Finnish participants needs a passport and may need a visa to enter
Finland. It is the responsibility of the student or the sending organization to
ensure required travel documents are valid and apply for the Visa well in
advance. FINCENT will not cover any costs related to obtaining required
documents.
FINCENT can provide a visa support letter upon request. Please see the Finnish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website for more information: Visa to visit Finland -
Ministry for Foreign Affairs (um.fi). Please note that you have to apply for the
Visa in the nearest Finnish Embassy, even if it is situated in another country.
All Non-Finnish citizens are required to carry a valid passport to enter the
Finnish Defence Forces premises and garrison area.
6.8 Pre-course material
Instructions for Pre-course self-study material will be sent directly to the
accepted students during September. Time required for completing the Pre-
course material is approximately one (1) day.
7 Contact and application
For further information, please contact FINCENT. Note that during the
summer holiday season in July the email is not regularly monitored.
E-mail:
[email protected]
WELCOME to the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre!
Esapekka Vehkaoja
Colonel
FINCENT Commandant