Liberia: NAP Sector Focal Points, Experts and M & E Officers Trained to apply Data tracking toolkit

The Environmental Protection Agency with the short-term technical support from the NAP Global Network conducted two-day training for Focal Points/Experts and M & E Officers to apply the newly validated NAP Agriculture Sector data tracking toolkit in from on November 1 and 4, 2024 in Monrovia.

The overriding objective of the two-day training workshop was to enhance the effective use or application of the data tracking toolkit for the NAP Agriculture Sector by the NAP Focal Points, Experts, and M & E Officers.

The workshop was gender inclusive, attended by 30 participants from NAP Sectors institutions including the National Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Inter Affairs and the Ministry of Gender Children Social Protection, Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Public Works and others. Thirty three percent of the participants were females.

The two-days training was characterized by frankness and excitement. The trainers adopted the learning- by-doing methodology to carry out the training. During the first day of the training, Mr. Mulbah presented the different tools developed for data tracking.

He made them to understand the different outcome indicators, how they can be recorded and reported. On the second day of the training, the participants were made to demonstrate their newly data tracking skills to input data in the tracking tools.

The training strengthened the capacities of NAP Sector institutions to use the user friendly data tracking toolkit to input data, increased in knowledge to know what kind of data to track and input, and know where to take the data, analyze and report. And finally, the participants understood the difference between the data tracking toolkit and the Key performance indicator.

Assistant Manager of the EPA Multilateral Environmental made welcome remarks on behalf of the EPA Executive Director.

He welcomed participants and commended them for their turnout and encourage them to take the training serious. He throws some insights on the importance of the training workshop and encouraged participants’ full participation.

The next pre-start activity was the taking of group photos. Upon their returned, all participants were allowed to introduce themselves by calling their names, capacity and institutions; thereafter the training sessions began.

The participants, despite the training output expressed their concerns about  retention of  the trained focal points and M & E officers at the different institutions, it was cost intensive to tracking or collect data, limited budgetary support from government agencies,  limited wiliness to share to share data or information among others.

Participant feedback from the training

1. They were impressed with the consultants  patient in presenting and conducting the training.
2. According to them the training was rated  9/10
3. They expressed that the toolkit is user friendly, and therefore is easy apply or use
4. That the tracking toolkit clearly defined what kind of data to collect.
5. The catering services and the venue were rate very good.

  Recommendations

1. That future training like the validation workshop for the data tracking toolkit be held outside of Monrovia, Montserrado County
2. That more capacity building trainings be conducted quarterly to improve the data collection ability of data collectors at the local/county level
3. That electronic gadgets  be provided to NAP implementation Trackers foreasy reporting
4. That the IP, KPIs and data tracking toolkit be developed for the other five sectors
5. Environmental Protection Agency should organize or convene dialogue with  heads of   NAP Sector Institution along with their focal points, and M&E to educate them about the importance of NAP Implementation and monitoring evaluation and learning
6. As long as we are faced with climate change, there is a need to always meet as professionals to share information, knowledge and best practices. These meetings could be in the form of stakeholders’ policy dialogues or workshops.
7. Organize quarterly workshops for M&E officers
8. Revision of some indicators at the outcome levels
9. Provision of technical capacity to Farmers Union Network of Liberia (FUNL) in the form of (office equipment – laptops, desktops, GPS, data collection tablets)
10. Bringing together relevant M&E stakeholders in the agriculture sector to learn how to use the tracking toolkit, share ideas and experiences
11. Sharing of key workshop materials to participants a week prior to the workshop

 The key lessons learned

1. The Participants remained engaged at the workshop from start to end. The underlining reason was that the meeting was held outside of Monrovia. The lesson learned is that meeting held outside of Monrovia experience little or no distraction. Participants are fully engaged, and participants show up early at venue.
2. NDC Hub focal points who are tracking and reporting on the NDC  were also invited to the validation workshop
3. The National Lead on the implementation of Liberia’s NDC was instrumental during the validation meeting
4. Transferring/Sharing of information, knowledge and best practices to farmers on the effects of climate change is critical

Following the completion of the key deliverables of this assignment: The development of the NAP Agri Sector IP, KPIs and the Indicators data tracking toolkit to ensure that the MEL of Liberia piloted for the agriculture sector.

The completion of this phase has created the need for capacities for data collectors at the local levels, and the planning and sourcing of additional technical support for the full development of the balance five NAP sectors IP, KPIs and data tracking toolkits.

Securing adequate funding is critical for the success of the Agri-NAP-IP. Preliminary estimations suggest that the adaptation actions for the agriculture sector will require significant investment, and the costs will cover various aspects, including but not limited to, infrastructure development, capacity building, technology transfer, and research and development.

Wrap-up & Closing

The closing formality was characterized with remarks from participants, the EPA and the consultants;. The two participants in their separate comments commended the training workshop facilitators, particularly the NAP Global Network and the EPA for the funding and supervision.

They promised on behalf of their colleagues to make good of the knowledge and share the knowledge gain by training others at the various institutions.

For his part, the Assistant Manager for Multilateral Environmental Agreements speaking on behalf of the EPA commended the facilitators and participants for the training to apply the NAP tracking toolkit and the NAP/NDC focal points and M & E Officers.

This initiative, he said will enhance Liberia’s capacity to track and report on Liberia’s National Adaptation commitment especially the Agriculture sector. Speaking at the closing also were the two consultants; Aaron S.M. Wesseh and David M. Mulbah who both commended the participants, the EPA, NAP Global Network and the catering and hall service providers.