The ToT capacity development event was divided into two segments. The first segment was a 5-day ESIA Level 1 ToT capacity development event while the second segment was a 3-day RAP/LRP Level 1 ToT capacity development event. Thirty-four participants (29 men, 5 women) representing Federal and eight (8) regional AGP 2 Program Coordination Units (PCUs) E&S Safeguards Specialists and Implementing Agencies (IAs), as well as four CDSF regional offices, took part in the 8-day capacity development event. Additionally, participants from 4 non-AGP funded projects (e.g. PSNP, SLMP, PASIDP, and RPLR) benefitted from the ESIA/RAP/LRP training event.
The topics covered in the 5-day ESIA training included: environmental and social impact assessment overview; baseline data collection; project screening and scoping; detailed steps in ESIA study (i.e. impact analysis and formulation of mitigation and impact management measures); ESIA reporting, review, implementation, monitoring and auditing. While the 3-day RAP/LRP training topics included preparation, implementation, monitoring and auditing.
The purpose of the capacity development training was to build knowledge and skills’ competency gaps among E&S safeguard specialists so that they apply environmentally sustainable and socially responsible considerations in the planning, preparation and implementation of AGP2 sub-projects in accordance with the World Bank and Government of Ethiopia environmental and social management framework (ESMF). It is expected that Regional AGP2 PCUs will roll out and cascade the Level 3 ESIA/RAP/LRP training to woredas in the near term.
CDSF Environmental Safeguard Consultant, Ato Berhanu Tekalegn and Social Safeguard Consultant, Dr. Moges Woyessa co-facilitated the ESIA/RAP/LRP Level 1 ToT capacity development training. Whilst, CDSF International Environmental and Safeguards Advisor, Wit Siemieniuk, provided technical support.
The training employed three forms of delivery within the Experience, Reflection, Generalization and Application (ERGA) adult learning model: (i) practical field work and reporting on ESIA, RAP and LRP for a small-scale irrigation (SSI) earthen dam at Kolomargefia Kebele; group discussion and presentation, case study based practical exercises, brain-storming and other participatory methods; and (iii) PowerPoint presentation and discussion to ToT participants. In addition to the wide-ranging participatory instructional techniques; the practical field work made this training unique and reinforced the in-class work.
participants during field trip
It is inevitable that AGP2 subprojects that build infrastructure (i.e. SSI works, footbridges, marketplaces, post-harvest storage facilities, etc.) result in physical and/or economic displacement of project affected persons (PAP). As a result of 8-day ESIA/RAP/LRP training, it is expected that AGP2 Federal and Regional PCU and IAs’ environmental and social safeguards specialists will be capacitated with knowledge and applicable skills so that physical and economic displacements will be avoided or minimized. And, if physical and economic displacement cannot be avoided or minimized then, the 8-day ToT capacity development event participants have knowledge, skills and tools to consider compensation as per Government of Ethiopia regulatory framework. Proper consideration of PAPs and subproject impact should avoid conflicts and facilitate sustainable, effective and efficient implementation towards AGP2 objectives.