Regional workshop for test-use of a training course on managing rangelands for ecosystem services and nature-based solutions

Organisers: ICIMOD and UNEP-WCMC

The workshop

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is collaborating with the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) to design a training course for building the institutional capabilities of partners and regional member countries (RMCs) to enable them to manage rangelands for multiple ecosystem services and benefits. The course is targeted at, with some adaptation in each case, policy makers, rangeland managers, herders, highland communities, and students in educational institutions. It will be designed together by the consultants, ICIMOD team, rangeland intervention partners in the RMCs, and educators from selected institutions (Tribhuvan University, College of Forestry).

The draft course will be tested and verified through a regional workshop at which consultants, the ICIMOD team, and representatives from partner organizations and educational institutions will sit together to present and agree on the overall course design, tools and training materials, and practical cases and their uses, and plan for further ToT and extended use of the course. After the test use and verification, the course design and related tools and materials will be revised and finalized. Then, in early 2025, a regional ToT training will be organized to build a pool of trainers for the countries, especially for Nepal and Bhutan so that they can use the courses to deliver in-country trainings.

ICIMOD’s rangelands Intervention will plan specific activities in 2025 and 2026 to support the RMCs, especially Nepal and Bhutan, in organising in-country trainings, and with educational institutions (like TU) to integrate the course into their teaching programme.

Objectives

The objectives of the workshop:

• To present the overall course design, tools and training materials, and practical cases and their uses
• To agree on the final course design, and plan for further ToTs and extended use of the course.

Outputs and expected outcomes

Major outputs form this workshop will include: 1) a training course (including its tools and materials) tested and enriched with participant inputs; 2) a networked community of practice for promoting management of rangelands for ecosystem services; 3) 25 participants including technical managing staff, policy makers and educators trained in concepts, tools and materials on managing rangelands for multiple ecosystem services.

After the workshop, the participants from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and China will be able to:

• Conduct rapid site planning of a desired rangeland ecosystem condition and management actions to sustain multiple ecosystem services,
• Develop a plan to include ecosystem science knowledge and tools in the management systems of herders and government agencies involved in rangeland management, including from a climate adaptation and gender and social inclusion (GESI) lens.

Participants:

 30 participants, including ICIMOD staff and WCMC consultant.