Sensitizing CSOs on Gender- and Child-Sensitive Implementation of NDCs and NAPs

Sensitizing CSOs to Strengthen Awareness and Develop Gender- and Child-Sensitive Insights for the Implementation of NDC and NAPs

The Consortium for Climate Change Ethiopia (CCC-E), with financial support from Save the Children International and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is advancing the Civil Society Strengthening Programme for Children’s Rights through an ongoing process aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to actively engage in Ethiopia’s climate policy implementation.

As part of this initiative, CCC-E organized a sensitization and engagement process that brought together CSOs from different sectors, including women’s rights organizations, child-focused groups, and organizations working in climate change, agriculture, health, environment, and livelihoods. The engagement focused on strengthening understanding of Ethiopia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP-ETH), and their importance in guiding national climate action.

The session was characterized by active participation and open dialogue, where CSO representatives shared real experiences from their work at community level. Participants reflected on how climate change is already affecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, through increased household burdens, limited access to resources, and exposure to climate-related shocks such as droughts and floods.

Through facilitated group discussions and practical exercises, participants explored key gaps in the implementation of existing climate policies, particularly in relation to gender equality and child protection. The interactive nature of the discussions allowed CSOs to collectively identify barriers such as limited coordination, insufficient community-level awareness, and weak integration of social inclusion considerations in climate planning processes.

Participants also engaged in collaborative brainstorming sessions to propose practical and context-specific recommendations that could strengthen the inclusiveness of Ethiopia’s climate response. These recommendations emphasized the need for stronger community engagement, improved data on vulnerable groups, and closer collaboration between government and civil society actors.

The process not only enhanced awareness but also strengthened networking and collaboration among CSOs working in different thematic areas. Many participants highlighted the importance of continued engagement platforms where civil society can regularly contribute to national climate policy dialogue.

Overall, the sensitization process marked an important step toward building a more informed and engaged civil society sector that can contribute meaningfully to the implementation of Ethiopia’s NDC and NAPs.

CCC-E and its partners remain committed to strengthening inclusive climate governance in Ethiopia by ensuring that the perspectives of women, girls, and children are consistently reflected in national climate action and decision-making processes.