12 staff (5 females and 7 males) selected from government institutions are to participate in a two-week intensive training at the University of Galilee in Israel.

The nominated staff represents sectors at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Mines & Energy, Center for Research Agriculture Institute(CARI), Forestry Development Authority, University of Liberia, Cuttington University, and Environmental Protection Agency among others.

They were selected across sectors to pursue short term courses in climate resilient agriculture, climate change adaptation, coastal and flood engineering, among others.

The training is related to the advancement of the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) Project with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through UNDP Environment Programme in collaboration with the Environment protection Agency (EPA).

They will gain leadership skills necessary to support climate change adaptation planning, in an effort to reduce vulnerability to climate change and to facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into national development planning processes.

The Head of UNDP Sustainable Economic Transformation Pillar, Dorsla Farcathy urged the selected staff to use such glorious opportunity as a leverage to assist the Government of Liberia achieve its development agenda.

Mr. Farcarthy stressed that UNDP remains a reliable partner to Liberia with its signature on capacity building visible in almost every sector of Liberia.

The Deputy Executive Director ai at the EPA Randall Dobayou encouraged the staff to portray a positive image of Liberia and not as individuals.

Mr. Dobayou expressed appreciation for the partnership with UNDP, noting that the National Adaptation Plans Project (NAPs) is relevant for Liberia to adapt to climate change.

In preparation for the departure this weekend, the trainees participated in an induction and orientation session organized by UNDP Environment Programme under its National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) Project in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Orientation session was organized to better prepare the trainees to fully participate in the training in Israel.

During the session, they were briefed on the NAPs project and the essence of the mission in Israel, the relevance of gender mainstreaming in development Planning, ethics and integrity in the workplace among others.

The group selected Charlene Jallah Freeman, Head of the Department of Natural Resource Management at Cuttington University as their Team Leader.

It is expected that the NAPs trainees will return home better prepared to work and provide mentorship and training to colleagues in the relevant disciplines.

Ultimately, it is envisioned that these NAPs trainees – and those they mentor – will become the next generation of climate change adaptation champions in their institutions of work and the Country at large.