Development Aspects Impressum Editors

Low carbon

Capacity-building networks operating under the principles and strategies described result in low-carbon capacity development initiatives.

Their structures have limited numbers of staff and make the best out of their open membership. Travel is minimized as their geographic spread and connectivity gives networks a level of presence and sharing which does not depend on face-to- face meetings.
In terms of capacity-building strategies, networks enable multiple replications at the local level and the need for travel for 20 or more course participants is part of an old paradigm. Instead, funds are used more efficiently and less is spent on airline tickets and hotels, with a resulting low-carbon scheme.
In terms of capacity-building delivery there are two major settings:

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  The training of trainers (ToT) model, where experts from various countries meet for an intensive training course and knowledge updating, and then go back to their countries where further courses are delivered. In this model travel is justified as a means for knowledge sharing to enable replication at the local level.
  

1 Some have participated in more than one activity.

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  For regular courses, the preference is to select participants from various target groups at the local level, keeping attention to multiple water use sectors and gender balance. Additionally, a limited number of participants may be invited from other countries (or zones within the same country). These participants trav- elling from elsewhere attend the course on the same basis as a ToT, in the sense that they are capacity-builders themselves, who represent an institution with the commitment to put together a similar course at their own location. This strategy has given very good results in Latin America, where the number of courses deliv- ered has been prioritized over spending more funds on fewer courses for which the majority of participants have to fly in, resulting in a high level of carbon emis- sions. The recommendation is to aim for participants from nearby countries; for example, if a course is held in Bolivia, other participants may be invited from Peru and Ecuador, which are also Andean countries.
  

4.