Learning from an African capacity development programme

This policy brief evaluates the capacity development component of the Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa (WACDEP). Launched in 2011, the programme trained 170 people across eight countries to integrate water security and climate resilience into development planning. Key findings indicate that national ownership and localized programme management are critical for translating training into tangible outcomes, and that national trainers are preferable to international experts.

• The Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa (WACDEP), launched by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) following the July 2008 Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration on Water and Sanitation, seeks to integrate climate resilience and water security into development planning. The programme focuses on building capacities for climate change resilience through improved water management and the creation of 'no regret' investment and financing strategies. It consists of four main components: partnership and sustainability, knowledge and capacity development, innovative green solutions, and investments in national and regional development.
• The capacity development component of WACDEP, which began in August 2011, involved 170 individuals across eight countries and five transboundary basins. The programme utilized a structure of start-up meetings, five workshops per country, and mentor-supported individual action plans. Assessment of the programme showed that 110 out of 120 participants who took the final online exam passed and received certificates.
• The programme identified two primary lessons for improving capacity development: first, that strong national ownership leads to higher responsibility and better results; and second, that locating programme management within each country helps bridge the gap between training and actual work duties, facilitating the transition from training to implementation. Additional lessons highlighted the benefit of employing national trainers over international experts and the importance of balancing a pan-African curriculum with specific national conditions.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2016). Learning from an African capacity development programme. https://cdkn.org/resource/policy-brief-climate-resilient-development-lessons-african-capacity-development-programme

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Learning from an African capacity development programme. 2016. https://cdkn.org/resource/policy-brief-climate-resilient-development-lessons-african-capacity-development-programme.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Learning from an African capacity development programme |date=18 July 2016 |url=https://cdkn.org/resource/policy-brief-climate-resilient-development-lessons-african-capacity-development-programme |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2016learning, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Learning from an African capacity development programme}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2016}, month = jul, url = {https://cdkn.org/resource/policy-brief-climate-resilient-development-lessons-african-capacity-development-programme}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }