AMMAN — The first training workshops dedicated to civil society organisations were launched on Monday in Madaba under the Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector (BRCCJ) project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

 

The workshops aim to boost the capacities of civil society organisations and enable them to play a greater role in raising environmental awareness and supporting climate change adaptation efforts at the local level, according to a FAO statement.

 

The workshops are based on the findings of consultation sessions conducted with civil society organisations in the governorates of Madaba, Karak, Tafileh, and Maan.

 

These consultations identified local communities’ needs and priorities related to climate change adaptation, water resources management, and improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector.

 

Policy and Education Expert at FAO Samia Akroush delivered an overview of the BRCCJ project, highlighting its objectives, key components, and its role in improving water use efficiency in agriculture, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, and strengthening the capacities of local communities and civil society organisations to enhance resilience to climate change and support sustainable agricultural development.

 

The workshop, organised in coordination with the National Women's Committees Gathering in Madaba, brings together representatives of civil society organisations from across the governorate.

 

Participants are receiving theoretical training delivered by Sustainable Scientific Vision for Engineering and Environment, covering climate change and its impacts on Jordan, adaptation measures in the agriculture sector, sustainable water resources management, rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, as well as awareness-raising and community engagement skills to support local initiatives and strengthen community participation in climate adaptation efforts.

 

The training workshops will continue in the coming period in the governorates of Karak, Tafileh, and Maan, fostering knowledge exchange, expanding community participation, and supporting the implementation of local initiatives that contribute to sustainable agricultural development.

 

BRCCJ project is implemented by FAO and funded by the Green Climate Fund, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Environment, and the United Nations Development Programme.

 

The project aims to strengthen the resilience of Jordan’s communities and agricultural sector to the impacts of climate change by improving water use efficiency, promoting sustainable natural resource management, and scaling up the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices.

 

These workshops are expected to reinforce the role of civil society organisations as key partners in promoting environmental awareness and supporting local communities in adopting more sustainable water management and agricultural practices, thereby enhancing resilience to climate change and ensuring more efficient use of water resources.