Fundamentals, concepts, principles of ESC considerations in country strategies and projects

The "Strengthening Borrower’s Capacity on Environmental, Social, and Climate Best Practices 2" (SUSTAIN2) is an initiative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The goal of Sustain 2 is to enhance the Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP) capacities of national ministries, civil society organizations, consultants, and private actors engaged in rural development across multiple regions, including LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) and NEN (Near East, North Africa, Europe, and Central Asia).

This tutor-based online certification programme provides a practical approach to plan and conduct effectively the updated SECAP in IFAD-supported projects. The course imparts participants with information and applied expertise in managing environmental and social challenges, while enhancing their ability to promote inclusive, sustainable practices across development projects; Cultivate strategic thinking, leadership, and community engagement skills to effectively influence policies and contribute to long-term impact in rural transformation.

 It brings together in a collaborative and instructive online space PMUs; senior government officials assigned to project oversight; national staff from ministries of agriculture, environment and other relevant sectors; ESC regulatory bodies, ESC consultants; contractors; and non-sovereign operations, active in agriculture and rural development.

OBJECTIVES

Equip yourself with hands-on tools and methodologies for identifying risks, mitigating them, and mainstreaming sustainability in project design and implementation.

Build Competency in Risk Management and the frameworks for developing risk mitigation plans that align with ESC Standards and SECAP requirements.

Foster Stakeholder Engagement and Community, and learn approaches to address grievances and build trust with affected communities.

Develop leadership skills to advocate for sustainability, influence policy, and drive transformative change in rural development initiatives.

CONTENT

THE MODULES:

1. Introduction to Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP)

2. Social, Environmental and Climate Change in the IFAD project cycle

3. Technical Notes: the nine Social, Environmental and Climate Standards

4. Online screening tool and ESCMP Development

5. Procurement in SECAP

6. Diving into the nine Standards as required: 9 submodules:
          i.            Biodiversity conservation,

         ii.            Resources efficiency and pollution prevention,

        iii.            Cultural heritage,

        iv.            Indigenous people,

         v.            Labour and working conditions,

        vi.           Community health, safety and security,

       vii.           Physical and economic resettlement,

     viii.           Financial intermediaries and direct investments,

         ix.          Climate change.

7. Project-level grievance redress mechanisms

8. Stakeholder engagement

ACHIEVEMENT

This certificate of achievement has been delivered to the participants that have produced the required deliverables by completing the self-guided modules, the knowledge tests, the case studies, the assignments and attended actively the webinars.

I. Distance learning modules and knowledge test (30 hours)

• Completion of eight tutor-guided online modules, including participation in dedicated webinars

• Acquisition of foundational knowledge on SECAP principles, including risk screening, sustainability integration, and environmental and social due diligence in project design

II. Practical case studies and assignments (20 hours)

• Completion of six SECAP-based case studies and individual assignments to simulate real-projects application of environmental and social risk identification, mitigation planning, and compliance reporting

III. Soft skills, ethics, and stakeholder engagement in SECAP implementation (10 hours)

• Participation in online learning activities focused on ethical leadership, inclusive communication, and effective stakeholder engagement

• Emphasis on fostering transparency, trust, and accountability in the application of SECAP throughout project implementation

NUMBER OF HOURS: 60