Advanced Course on Climate Information Services: A Transformational Training for Climate Decision-Makers Across Africa

As Africa faces increasing climate variability and more frequent extreme weather events, the need for robust Climate Information Services (CIS) has never been greater. Yet, despite growing data availability, the effective use of CIS in decision-making remains limited by challenges such as technical complexity, weak integration into policies, and limited user accessibility.

To address these gaps, the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES)—in collaboration with AICCRA and the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT—is offering an Advanced Online Course on Climate Information Services. This 5-week, high-impact training is designed to equip professionals from government, NGOs, civil society, academia, and the private sector with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to bridge science and action through climate information.

Course Overview

• Format: Fully online, intensive and participatory
• Duration: 5 weeks
• Target Audience: Policymakers, planners, researchers, practitioners, and sectoral experts across Africa working in climate adaptation, agriculture, energy, health, water, infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction
• Deadline to Apply: 17 July 2025

Participants will gain hands-on experience in applying climate data to real-world decisions, making this course a practical and policy-relevant training tailored to African contexts.

What the Course Offers

This advanced programme delivers a comprehensive understanding of CIS across six key domains:

1. Core CIS Competencies

Participants will develop a foundational understanding of the CIS ecosystem, including:

• Types of climate forecasts and their interpretation
• Effective communication of uncertainty
• Understanding of forecast reliability and limitations

2. User-Centered Design

The course emphasizes co-designing services with users at the center. Participants will explore:

• How different user groups (e.g., farmers, health officials, disaster planners) access and interpret climate information
• How to customize CIS tools for local needs

3. From Data to Decision

Participants will be trained to:

• Translate complex climate data into actionable information
• Integrate forecasts into risk management, planning, and budgeting processes
• Evaluate the outcomes and impact of climate-informed interventions

4. Sector-Specific Applications

Real-world applications of CIS will be explored in depth across key sectors:

• Agriculture and food security
• Water resource management
• Public health
• Renewable energy
• Infrastructure resilience
• Social protection and disaster response

5. Policy Integration and Governance

The course connects CIS with broader national and international policy frameworks, enabling participants to:

• Align climate information with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Understand how CIS supports Early Warning Systems and long-term development planning

6. Ethics, Equity & Emerging Technologies

Topics include:

• Responsible use of AI and digital tools in CIS
• Ensuring equitable access to climate services
• Addressing digital and gender divides in climate information delivery

Why Join This Course?

✔ Respond to Real Needs: The course content is built upon insights from over 280 African professionals and practitioners. It directly responds to the on-the-ground challenges they face in accessing and applying climate data.

✔ Bridge the Science-Policy Gap: Move from awareness to informed, confident action in integrating CIS into programmes and policy decisions.

✔ World-Class Faculty: Learn from leading African and international experts representing national meteorological services, regional climate centers, universities, development organizations, and local innovators.

✔ Peer Learning: Engage in interactive learning through peer discussions, case study reflections, and regional exchanges that foster a pan-African community of practice.

✔ Strategic Impact: Whether designing climate-smart agriculture interventions, building early warning systems, or advising policy, this course will elevate your ability to lead, advise, and influence climate resilience efforts.

Who Should Apply?

• Government planners and policy advisors
• Climate scientists and technical staff
• NGO and development programme managers
• Sectoral experts in health, agriculture, energy, and water
• Civil society and community-based organization leaders
• Researchers and graduate students in climate-related fields

How to Apply

Application Deadline: 17 July 2025
Limited slots are available to ensure high engagement and interaction.

Apply here

About AGNES

Founded in 2015, the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) provides scientific evidence, policy expertise, and technical training to support a unified African voice in global climate negotiations. AGNES strengthens capacity across the continent for science-based, equitable, and informed climate action.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hosting organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hosting organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.