Sahel: Risk-informed development training builds DRR–CCA capacity across seven West-African countries
This case study was collected through a Call for Good Practices on Reducing Risk across SDG Transitions, launched by the UN DRR Focal Points Group in 2024.
SDGs addressed: 13 | 11 | 2
The Sahel faces deepening poverty, conflict and climate extremes. In August 2022, UNDP convened a three-day Risk-Informed Development (RID) training in Nouakchott, Mauritania, for officials from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. Co-designed with FAO, UNICEF, AUC, ECOWAS and AGRHYMET, the workshop applied the RID strategy tool to show step-by-step integration of DRR and climate-adaptation concerns into sector plans and budgets, aligning with Sendai Framework Priorities 2 and 3. Participants mapped capacity gaps, prioritised policy actions and agreed follow-up steps.
Innovation & Success Factors
- Regional platform broke institutional silos, enabling cross-country peer learning.
- Structured RID tool translated abstract risk concepts into sector-specific budget actions.
- Political buy-in from ministries of finance, agriculture and education anchored commitments.
Key impacts
- Niger - draft national DRR-CCA law initiated.
- Chad - agriculture ministry earmarked budget lines for DRR-CCA.
- Mali - national DRR strategy revision launched.
- Nigeria - education sector exploring risk-financing instruments.
- Multi-sector ownership - 60+ officials (agriculture, education, finance) trained; action points agreed for each country.
Lessons learned for replication or adaptation
- High-level endorsement secures post-training follow-through.
- Sector-tailored exercises make risk mainstreaming practical.
- Continuous technical support is vital after the workshop.
- Regional coordination speeds policy alignment and mutual accountability.
- Dedicated budget lines ensure financial sustainability of DRR-CCA measures.
Organisations involved
- UN entities: UNDP (lead), FAO, UNICEF
- Regional partners: African Union Commission, ECOWAS, AGRHYMET
- National beneficiaries: Government representatives from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal (ministries of agriculture, education, finance, food security)