AACJ Project Strengthens Climate Action Efforts Through Capacity Building Workshop

The AACJ project recently concluded a successful four-day workshop and annual meeting, bringing together partners from across the 8 implementing countries in Africa. The event aimed to strengthen their capacity to address climate change through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Day 1: Setting the Stage for Action

The workshop commenced with a warm welcome and introductions facilitated by Ms. Aileen Ajiwa. She fostered a welcoming environment, established clear expectations, and ensured a safe space for open dialogue.
Dr. Wambua Kituku conducted a pre-assessment to gauge participants’ understanding of key climate change concepts. This valuable data helped tailor workshop content to best meet participant needs.
Representatives from AACJ partner countries – Nigeria, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Senegal – presented their 2024 workplans and implementation progress, followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Participants delved into the findings and lessons learned from the 2023 AACJ Midterm Review Process, led by Dr. Wambua Kituku. This session provided valuable insights for improvement moving forward.
An introduction to the AACJ program, its goals, and the crucial role played by FEMNET and partner organizations was delivered. The session explored strategies for building effective movements, advancing climate justice narratives, and celebrating project successes.
Dr. Wambua Kituku delivered a session on the fundamentals of climate change science, covering topics like global warming, greenhouse gases, and their consequences.
Participants explored responses to climate change, examining mitigation and adaptation strategies with a focus on achieving climate justice.
Dr. Wambua Kituku led a session on key climate change terminology, ensuring everyone possessed a common understanding of critical concepts like impacts, vulnerability, adaptation, and mitigation.

Day 2: Deepening Knowledge and Exploring Policy Landscape

Day two began with a recap of day one’s key learnings.
Dr. Wambua Kituku led a deep dive into Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, examining carbon markets, REDD Plus, and their implications for African countries. A short video on carbon markets preceded the session.
Anne Tek, the Climate Justice and Natural Resource Governance Lead at FEMNET addressed gender and climate justice, focusing on integrating gender, feminist influence, and disability considerations into climate action and the AACJ program.
Dr. Wambua Kituku introduced the concept of a Just Transition, exploring innovative approaches to building a green economy while considering the extractives and energy sectors and their impact on the AACJ project.

Day 3: Building Capacity for Effective Reporting

Day three focused on practical reporting skills. Participants reviewed country-specific 2024 mid-year AACJ narrative reports and results frameworks.
Maureen Akinyi led sessions on the Most Significant Change Tool, Project Outcome Harvesting Logbook, and IATI (International Aid Transparency Initiative) reporting requirements.
Partners reviewed their 2024 mid-year Most Significant Change reports and Outcome Harvesting Logbooks.

Day 4: Action Planning and Looking Ahead

The final day centered on practical action planning.
Participants developed individual and collective action plans, identifying strategies to accelerate activity implementation.
The workshop concluded with a wrap-up session, where key learnings were consolidated, feedback was gathered, and future collaboration opportunities were discussed.
The AACJ project’s four-day workshop and annual meeting served as a powerful catalyst for progress. By strengthening the capacity of the implementing partners and fostering collaboration, the AACJ project is well-positioned to make significant strides towards achieving climate justice across Africa.