Regional and national user engagement
This focus area aimed at strenghtening interactions between users, researchers and climate service providers through User Interface Platforms (UIPs). UIPs allow relevant stakeholders to come together to co-design tailored sectoral climate services, ensuring they respond to real needs and priorities.
In total, user engagement was strengthened and consolidated in ten focus countries and across eight Regional Climate Centers (RCCs).
Throught ClimSA, assessment of capacities were conducted in each region. Regional consultations were held to collect inputs for the development of guidelines on the use of UIPs, and the development Regional Framework for Climate Services (RFCS) - strategic mechanism that coordinates, develops, and delivers tailored climate information across multiple countries. Sub-regional partners were also trained on the development of an RFCS.
A survey conducted in ClimSA focus countries examined how structured user engagement through UIPs was carried out at national and regional levels and highlighted the benefits it provides.
"Under the ClimSA programme, AGRHYMET’s UIPs (including one for Agriculture & Food Security) significantly increased the accuracy and accessibility of agro‑hydro‑climatic forecasts. This boosted early warning, food‑security planning, and climate-smart agriculture across the region."
Testimony from AGRHYMET
“UIPs enabled the co-production of climate information services, improving both the quality of the Climate Information System and integration of the same into sector specific operational decision making.”
Testimony from Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD)
“UIPs improved access to climate information and early action at regional, national and subnational levels. This has led to improvements in hydropower production in Kenya, livestock management in IGAD cross-border regions, and utilisation of climate information by pastoralist women in Kajiado, Kenya.”
Testimony from IGAD Climate Prediction & Applications Centre (ICPAC)
Under ClimSA, a training on establishing a sector-specific regional UIP HelpDesk was conducted, and Guidelines on Establishing Help Desks for Climate Services (HD4CS) were produced. Guidelines for UIPs, including information on Sector Specific UIPs (agriculture, water, disaster risk reduction, and health) were developed.
Under this focus area, ClimSA supported the establishment of a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) in focus countries.
A training programme on the use of Step-by-step Guidelines on Establishing NFCS was organized. The Guidelines were also significantly revised to better reflect the current context of climate services delivery. Revisions included enhanced guidance materials, more detailed case studies and good practices for countries to follow, and guidance on integrating related services such as hydrological services. These revisions transformed the Guidelines from being primarily focused on establishing an NFCS to supporting its practical implementation and long term mainteinance.
Socio-economic benefits analysis for selected priority sectors were conducted in each regional focus country and public outreach materials on the importance of NFCS was developed.
In addition, an online course is currently being developed to cover NFCSs functions, components, and purpose, along with the principles, development, and implementation processes involved in designing an NFCS.
