Since its foundation, IHS has specialised in providing advisory and training services to emerging economies through customised training programmes worldwide. To make training responsive to local problems, the institute conducts a participatory training need assessment and often cooperates with local organisations requesting training on certain topics.
Building climate resilience in Uganda
IHS training programmes are crafted by a team of dedicated academics, focusing on critical issues like sustainable development, climate resilience, urban planning, and many more.
A recent example is the training programme IHS developed for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Uganda. In Uganda, land is the most valuable asset for its citizens. 82% of its inhabitants rely on agriculture for livelihood, and the majority practice subsistence farming. This initiative was specifically designed to address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly its impact on land and agriculture, which are critical to the livelihoods of a vast majority of the population.
As the activities of the ministry are highly affected by the effects of climate change across urban, rural, and peri-urban activities, the training supported their understanding of the nexus of land, food security and agriculture to achieve sustainable food systems in the country.
By addressing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), the training helped reduce the vulnerability of Uganda’s agriculture sector by increasing productivity, enhancing adaptation and resilience of the farming systems, and reducing emissions intensity in the context of achieving sustainable development and poverty eradication. Through this training, participants gained a deeper understanding of land management, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices.
How to go forward?
The impact of the training is best demonstrated through significant improvements in policy implementation and practice among participants. In Uganda, for instance, the training led to enhanced capacity in managing agricultural land sustainably, contributing to food security and the development of climate-proof and gender-sensitive policies.
These initiatives show the critical importance of adaptability and active feedback mechanisms. Training programmes must be flexible to adapt to new challenges and responsive to participants' feedback to remain effective. Based on previous experiences, IHS implements the following:
- Continual stakeholder engagement: Maintain close collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the training.
- Flexible program structures: Adapt program structures to accommodate diverse learning needs and environmental conditions.
- Ongoing support and follow-up: Provide continuous support and follow-up to reinforce and expand upon the initial training outcomes.
Liveable cities for all
Looking forward, the continuity of these training programmes is crucial. IHS remains dedicated to continuing efforts in countries from the Global South, which is essential in contributing to liveable cities for all. Adequate funding, as previously provided by Nuffic, is the key to fulfilling this mission and guaranteeing access to knowledge and skills for professionals worldwide.
Take a glimpse at TMT Uganda
