The Vienna Initiative for Central Asia (VICA) hosts candidates from Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, etc.) to participate in a two-week training program on local and regional government offered by the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

VICA is comprised of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE, the Joint Vienna Institute, the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, and the City of Vienna. Together, these organizations designed a two-week course for on-site and classroom training on the subject of local and regional government. The members of VICA have each contributed to funding the program, with additional funds from the U.S. government. Instruction is offered in English and German, with simultaneous translation into Russian.

The Curriculum includes instruction on city management, city government management, city planning, provincial government management, economic and tax policies, foreign investment/regional development and related topics. On-site visits focus on environmental issues, wastewater management, and all aspects of city administration.

Instructors include university professors as well as city/provincial managers. Both Americans and Austrians offer instruction. This two-week program includes an OSCE briefing and an Embassy reception.

The Nominees are mid-level professionals working for local/regional governments who are established in their field.