Inside Transformative AGNES’ Climate Change Short Courses 

Capacity building is a cornerstone of effective climate action. For Africa, where climate impacts are already disrupting livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems; consequently slowing down development, strengthening the skills and knowledge of climate actors is not just important, but urgent. Article 11 of the Paris Agreement recognizes capacity building as a key pillar for enabling countries, especially developing nations, to meet their climate commitments. Without well-trained negotiators, policymakers, technical experts, and local actors, the ambition set in international agreements cannot translate into real change on the ground. In response, AGNES has been at the forefront of nurturing climate leaders through its flagship Climate Governance Diplomacy and Negotiation Leadership Program (CLP). The CLP has been a transformative program that, over the years, has equipped approximately 1800 emerging and mid-career professionals with the diplomatic, governance, and negotiation technical skills needed for international and national climate processes. Even so, the climate crisis is evolving faster than ever, demanding specialized competencies in various areas. To meet this need, the AGNES has launched a series of short, intensive courses designed to sharpen technical expertise and foster innovative solutions. These programs directly address the pressing capacity gaps in Africa’s climate landscape, empowering participants to drive impactful, Africa-led climate action. 

What Short Courses are Currently offered at the AGNES  

The recently launched short courses were chosen based on timeliness catering to the existing urgency in climate action. They were designed to be practical and deeply relevant. They include. 

1. Digital Technologies & Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action. 

2. Climate Finance and Innovative Business Models. 

3. Climate Outlook, Impact Assessment, and Climate Risk Management. 

4. Climate Information Services 

5. Climate Peace and Security  

Digital Technologies & Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action. 

This 8-unit course equips participants with knowledge and skills on the role of technology in climate action. It also delves into the digital tools for climate action and breaks down climate data going all the way to Artificial Intelligence and machine learning basics. Participants, ranging from researchers, and practitioners to young professionals, can gain knowledge in Machine learning and climate change, and modelling techniques among others. The approach being learning by doing approach, cohort participants develop projects at the end of the course. 

Why take this course? 

• Gain practical skills to apply AI and ML in climate change contexts. 

• Develop a portfolio-ready project through the learning-by-doing approach. 

• Access and learn from case studies and applications from across Africa’s sub-regions. 

• Position yourself at the forefront of climate-tech innovation in Africa. 

Course Units  

1. Foundations of Technology and Climate Action 

2. Data Systems and Management for Climate Applications 

3. IoT and Cyber-Physical Systems for Climate Monitoring and Adaptation 

4. AI and Machine Learning for Climate Action 

5. AI Application Areas & Cross-Sector Case Studies (Across Africa sub-regions) 

6. Digital Technologies for Climate Literacy and Communication 

7. Digital, Ethics, and Regulatory Frameworks 

8. Capstone Project: Development, Execution, and Presentation 

Climate Finance and Innovative Business Models short course 

Who’s funding climate action? And how can African actors access these resources? This is one of the game-change courses with eight units that equip individuals with knowledge of the architecture of climate finance. Participants learn how to navigate the climate finance space and tap into the funding streams through hands-on development of bankable projects. The course further explores the role of business innovation in driving climate-smart development. 

Why take this course? 

• Understand the full landscape of climate finance and how to navigate it. 

• Gain hands-on experience in developing proposals that attract funding. 

• Learn how business innovation can accelerate climate-smart development. 

• Network with experts and peers working across finance, policy, and development 

Course Units  

1. Overview of Climate Systems and Risk Assessment 

2. Climate Finance Landscape 

3. Climate Rationale Development 

4. Project Design and Theory of Change (ToC) 

5. Enabling Policy Environment 

6. Planning and Budget Development 

7. Project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) 

8. Individual/Group Project 

Climate Outlook, Impact Assessment, and Risk Management short course 

What will climate change look like in different regions? How can we predict this? What tools can help communities prepare?  All these questions and more are answered in this 6-unit course. Using a hands-on, scenario-based approach, the course delves deeper into climate impact forecasting, risk assessment frameworks, and strategies for building resilience.  

Why take this course? 

• Gain the ability to interpret climate projections and translate them into actionable strategies. 

• Build skills for assessing and managing risks in agriculture, water, health, and other key sectors. 

• Engage in hands-on exercises that mirror real-world climate decision-making. 

• Prepare yourself to advise governments, NGOs, and private sector actors on climate resilience. 

Units offered  

1. Climate Outlook, Forecasting and Projection 

2. Climate Hazards in Africa 

3. Climate Change Impacts in Africa 

4. Attribution of climate change and its impacts 

5. Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) 

6. Climate Risk Management 

Climate Information Services (CIS) 

This course responds to a critical gap in Africa’s climate action landscape, the ability to interpret and deliver timely, usable climate information to those who need it most. Participants explore how seasonal forecasts, historical trends, and local knowledge can be translated into actionable advisories for key sectors like agriculture, water, health, and disaster risk reduction. The course places strong emphasis on co-production, bringing together scientists, intermediaries, and end users to ensure information is demand-driven and context-specific. Through hands-on engagement with digital platforms and decision-support tools, learners build the skills to develop services that are both technically sound and socially responsive. In a region where climate variability is already impacting lives and livelihoods, CIS builds a vital bridge between science and society. 

Why you should take this course  

1. The course was designed based on a needs assessment of 280+ African professionals and practitioners from across sectors working on climate-related issues. 

2. It equips you with skills to move from awareness to confident, actionable use of climate data in programs and policy. 

3. You will learn from a diverse range of instructors and guest speaker representing regional climate authorities, national meteorological and research institutions, international scientific organizations, universities and think tanks, development and civil society partners, private sector innovators, and local practitioners, ensuring a rich, multi-scale perspective on Climate Information Services. 

4. Connect with a pan-African network of experts through reflection sessions and peer exchange. 

5. Whether you’re driving early warning systems, planning climate-smart agriculture, or crafting adaptation policies, this course will elevate your impact. 

Units Offered  

1. Introduction to Climate Information Services 

2. Data, Forecasting, and delivery structures 

3. Sectoral Application of CIS  

4. Policy, Governance and Mainstreaming 

5. Futures, Innovation and Course reflections 

Climate, Peace and Security 

As climate risks intensify, their impacts to security, fragility, conflict, and displacement become increasingly urgent. This course addresses the growing intersection between climate and environmental stressors and security threats, particularly in vulnerable and resource-scarce regions. Course participants engage with practical frameworks for integrated conflict and climate analysis, early warning systems, and climate-informed peacebuilding. Case studies from across Africa illustrate how climate change fuels tensions, and how inclusive, cross-sector responses can build resilience and reduce risk. The course brings together policymakers, peace practitioners, humanitarian actors, and researchers, offering an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue and strategy. As one of the few programs on the continent tackling this nexus head-on, you are encouraged to apply for this course. 

Why take this course? 

• Be among the few African professionals trained at the intersection of climate, peace, and security. 

• Learn to integrate climate considerations into peacebuilding and conflict prevention strategies. 

• Engage with expert facilitators from leading African and global institutions. 

• Gain practical skills in scenario planning, early warning, and policy development. 

Course Units  

1. Nature/Typologies of conflicts in Africa 

2. Introduction to Climate Change and Environmental Stressors 

3. Climate, Peace and Security Nexus: Theoretical and Practical Approaches 

4. Climate Change and Human Mobility 

5. Early Warning Systems and Climate Security Risk Assessment Tools 

6. Integrating a Climate lens into Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention 

7. Policy and Governance for Climate, Peace and Security 

8. Scenario Planning, Simulation, and Action Planning 

9. Project 

Our Partners in the short courses 

1. Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CGIAR  

2. Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT  

3. Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa.(AICCRA )

4. Institute of Development Studies IDS Zambia 

5. African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)

The Jael Vike Climate Change Training Institute (JVCCTI) 

As part of its long-term commitment to building Africa’s climate leadership, the AGNES is establishing the Jael Vike Climate Change Training Institute (JVCCTI) in Oloropil, Kajiado West Subcounty. Named in honor of the late Advocate Jael Vike Ludeki, the Institute will serve as a dedicated hub for advanced climate training, research, and innovation, bridging the gap between science, policy, and practice. Once complete, it will host postgraduate programs, masterclasses, and community-focused initiatives, ensuring continuous, high-quality capacity building for climate actors across Africa. Currently under construction, JVCCTI represents AGNES’s vision to institutionalize capacity building for generations to come. 

Call to action 

Africa’s climate future depends on bold, informed leadership, leaders equipped with the skills to negotiate, innovate, and implement effective solutions. AGNES’s short courses offer practical, targeted training for policymakers, practitioners, and emerging climate leaders, creating a network ready to drive Africa-led action. With the upcoming Jael Vike Climate Change Training Institute (JVCCTI) set to institutionalize capacity building, now is the time to invest in your growth and impact. Stay alert for new cohort announcements. Apply when calls open and take the next step in your climate leadership journey.