The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is uses a systematic and participatory approach to capacity development, drawing from UNDP's experience of supporting the development of human and institutional capacities and capabilities. The approach goes beyond the training of individuals. It extends to facilitating wider organizational and institutional change to enable the application of new skills and perspectives for sustainable results.
Training and knowledge sharing is undertaken at both the regional and country levels. At the regional level, the programme conducts capacity building activities with participants from forty ACP countries through regional training workshops, field trips, the production of guidance products and knowledge exchange. The programme will also host a final conference to enhance the knowledge sharing activities conducted during the programme.
At the country level, in depth capacity building is undertaken with six focus countries: Cameroon (Central Africa); Guinea - Conakry (West Africa); Uganda (East Africa); Zambia (Southern Africa); Jamaica (Caribbean); and Fiji (Pacific).
Country-level activities include: training of trainers; small grants; the production of maps and databases; development of regulations on environment, health and safety; organization of community dialogues, technology fairs and networking events.
Regional and country level training and knowledge exchange is provided in the following thematic areas of importance to the sector:
- mine and quarry management;
- environment, health and safety;
- entrepreneurship skills;
- market analysis and investment promotion;
- geo-data and maps design;
- community relations and addressing grievances.
The training involves a range of key stakeholders, including public stakeholders such as regulatory agencies and local governments; private stakeholders such as small-scale mining enterprises, intermediaries, transportation and logistics service providers, construction companies; business development stakeholders such as mining and quarrying associations, chambers of mines, training centres, universities, consulting companies; and social stakeholders such as civil society organizations and community groups.
Return to Work Plans
Participants of our regional training workshops implement the skills and knowledge that they have gained from the training through Return to Work Projects (RWPs). RWPs are a valuable tool to help training workshop participants to enhance their personal and professional development. As part of programme sponsorship, participants are required to develop a return-to-work plan on a project that they will undertake on their return to work, applying the knowledge and skills gained from workshop to influence change.
In-training sessions are devoted to the development of RWP's and participants are encouraged to network and collaborate with other trainees to capitalize on synergies and motivate completion of the plan.
