Roberta Boscolo, WMO
In my previous editorial I speared the first few sentences in a sort of “goodbye” as I thought it was going to be my last communication through this channel…. Well, it turned out that I am given another chance to saying few more words before the conclusion of the FOCUS-Africa project implementation, which is going to be 30th November 2024.
I am not going to repeat my “farewell” pitch… but instead I wish to share my views on what is the legacy of our efforts in Africa as it emerged from the final Conference in June 2024. This conference was the culmination of the extensive collaboration of the “sister projects” – CONFER, FOCUS-Africa, and DOWN2EARTH – supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program on “Climate Services for Africa” initiative. This event took place in Brussels and provided a platform for stakeholders and policymakers to share insights and creating actionable recommendations for advancing climate resilience across Africa.
The Challenge of Costly Capacity Development
Developing capacity within Africa’s climate sector is both an urgent need and a costly endeavor. Quality training is essential to equip National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) with the skills and resources necessary to effectively harness climate data and emerging technologies. However, NMHSs in Africa are frequently understaffed and under-resourced, limiting their potential to serve local communities. To address these challenges, we need to prioritize capacity building as an integral part of climate resilience projects, valuing it equally with scientific excellence. This means creating comprehensive proposal evaluations that emphasize the importance of co-production, training, and ongoing engagement with local staff to apply new knowledge consistently.
The “train-the-trainers” model is especially effective here, allowing trained professionals to pass on their expertise, creating a ripple effect that extends skills and knowledge across communities. Embedding training within local institutions rather than conducting it in external settings enhances the connection with local needs and fosters a stronger sense of ownership.
Embedding Legacy and Planning for the Future
One of the key insights from our collaborative work is the necessity of legacy planning from a project’s inception. The enduring impact of climate projects relies on a robust legacy that evolves with the project. Integrating legacy objectives early on ensures that NMHSs and other local partners retain the skills and tools to use climate data effectively, even after the project’s conclusion.
The collaborative efforts of the three projects underscored the importance of legacy planning, which should be integrated from a project’s inception. The long-term sustainability of climate projects depends on their ability to leave a lasting impact, empowering local stakeholders to use climate data and reproduce predictions long after the project ends. A robust legacy plan should remain flexible, adapting to evolving circumstances to ensure the continuity and relevance of its outcomes.
Moreover, the session on FOCUS-Africa’s socio-economic impact assessment, presented by Sam Whittlesay and Alberto Troccoli, demonstrated the importance of evaluating climate services’ effectiveness in key sectors like food security, water, and energy. These assessments are critical for illustrating the tangible benefits of climate services, which can attract further investment and support.
Sustainable funding is indispensable for climate resilience. Many African climate projects operate on a four-year cycle, but true resilience requires longer timelines. EU policymakers are urged to consider innovative funding mechanisms that support long-term climate services development. The need for continuous funding to ensure local institutions’ growth and stability was a recurring theme throughout the conference, with calls for restructuring funding models to allow for follow-on funding after projects conclude.
Learning from Past Projects and Preventing Redundancy
In the complex landscape of international climate initiatives, the wheel is often reinvented. A lack of continuity and knowledge transfer between projects can lead to redundant efforts and missed opportunities to build on previous work. Recognizing this, our projects emphasize the importance of thorough mapping to document best practices and lessons learned. By learning from both successes and failures, new initiatives can avoid known pitfalls, leveraging effective methodologies and products.
A key takeaway from the conference was the value of leveraging past experiences to avoid redundancy. The collaborative approach between CONFER, DOWN2EARTH, and FOCUS-Africa demonstrated the benefits of shared knowledge and joint resources. Project leaders emphasized that by co-developing and sharing climate services across water, energy, and food security sectors, these projects have achieved far-reaching outcomes in East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the SADC region.
Open and transparent sharing of challenges encountered in past projects can provide valuable insights for future efforts. This kind of candid exchange among project teams and stakeholders can foster a continuous learning culture, reducing redundancy and enhancing the effectiveness of climate resilience projects across Africa.
Adapting to Local Needs Through Inclusive Co-Production
Fundamental scientific research is critical for advancing climate resilience, but it must be closely aligned with local needs. At times, research agendas focus heavily on technical innovation, limiting the involvement of African NMHSs, Regional Climate Centers (RCCs), and other local partners. Integrating these stakeholders from the outset can ensure that scientific advancements are applicable and beneficial in real-world African contexts. Updating educational programs in meteorological and climate sciences at African universities and WMO training institutes can also develop a skilled workforce that meets the continent’s climate service demands.
Effective climate adaptation relies on clear communication and understanding of local nuances. Engaging communities meaningfully requires overcoming barriers in communication and fostering local media literacy. Incorporating non-climate science stakeholders—such as journalists, extension officers, and community leaders—in training programs can help bridge knowledge gaps and create more relevant, impactful community outreach. Adapting communication strategies to account for local languages and cultural differences strengthens trust and facilitates effective knowledge transfer.
Infrastructure, Policy, and Strategic Vision: Strengthening the Foundations of Climate Services
Navigating the fragmented funding landscape and political considerations around funding can pose significant challenges. A unified funding strategy—bridging the European Commission, Member States, and bilateral donors—can simplify these complexities, allowing for cohesive planning and coordination. Moreover, a 10-year EU-AU vision for climate resilience would provide a strong foundation for sustained impact, empowering African institutions to lead in the region’s climate resilience efforts.
A unified platform for sharing best practices and lessons learned was proposed, enabling a more efficient allocation of resources and support. A defragmentation of current cooperation mechanisms and an alignment of efforts under a single strategic vision ensure a stable foundation for climate services, enabling them to grow and scale sustainably.
By addressing these challenges, FOCUS-Africa and its sister projects have laid a strong foundation for a resilient, climate-ready Africa. Now, it is up to policymakers, funders, and regional partners to build on this foundation, empowering African communities to face climate challenges with greater resilience and sustainability.
