By Byron Geogiaidis & Michelle Koyaro.

THE PROCESS: NAKURU COUNTY WCCPCs

This continues to be a progressive journey of consistency, collaboration, and a unity of purpose, aimed at ensuring that the communities in the 55 wards of Nakuru County are actively involved in advocating for and taking action on climate change issues related to ADAPTATION, MITIGATION, and RESILIENCE.

In accordance with the Nakuru County Climate Change Act of 2022, and to facilitate the County's access to FLLoCA funding opportunities, it was necessary to establish the WCCPCs through community-led and community-owned public participation processes. These processes embraced a bottom-up approach, from the grassroots level, including the smallest villages. This involved creating awareness and involving community members in the selection and election of members who would represent them on their respective ward climate change planning committees.

COLLABORATION

The VCA Alliance Partners have repeatedly demonstrated that this should be a community-owned and community-led process, and that's exactly what it has been. A series of engagements with the communities has been both democratically demanding and challenging. However, we've overcome these challenges not with a spirit of competition but rather through collaboration and an appreciation of the diverse talents and capabilities among our partners.

Through the WCCPCs selection and election process, the WCCPCs' capacity strengthening process, and the write-shop, 18 Ward Climate Change Planning Committees have consistently and officially participated in a series of intense, informative, and engaging capacity strengthening sessions. These sessions have covered topics such as resource mobilization/fundraising, project management, conflict resolution mechanisms, leadership and integrity, climate change communication, and policy-making. Importantly, the sessions underscore the significance of public participation and community involvement in key decision-making through a need-based solution approach.

The three-day write-shop has been an enlightening and transformative platform, driving the push for accountability from the county government regarding climate finance channels. This effort is directed towards strengthening climate adaptation initiatives within vulnerable communities and, in the long run, enabling them to become more efficient and dynamic in their pursuit of alternative resource mobilization.

The committee members were provided with an in-depth exploration of FLLoCA and the County Climate Change Fund criteria. Participants were introduced to the core framework for organizing and assessing climate adaptation projects. They also delved into the intricacies of the criteria that govern project approval, providing clarity on which project activities are eligible for funding and those that are not. Additionally, there was a discussion around various avenues for securing financing beyond the County Climate Change Fund. Additionally, a review of the Nakuru County PCRA report was conducted to better understand the climate risks and priorities for Naivasha, Molo, and Njoro Sub County WCCPCs.

The committee members actively engaged in crafting their project proposals, which included essential details such as project title, location, priority rank for 2023, project description, target beneficiaries, and justification. The emphasis was on providing simple explanations and real-time assistance to ensure the clarity and quality of proposals. Committee members learnt on the practical development of budgets through navigating the different types of costs to come up with a comprehensive budget. 

Moving forward, the committees are poised to explore the existing climate fund opportunities and leverage available platforms to promote adaptation solutions among grassroots communities. The trained members will not solely rely on the county for funding. With this expertise, they will proactively seek out and take advantage of all available opportunities. We believe that this approach will assist the committees in scaling up and mobilizing resources for the betterment of their respective communities. Innovation, inclusivity, and integrity are also crucial factors that will ensure the sustainability of these projects.                 

CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Most importantly, we hope that the collaboration among the alliance partners will give the committees an opportunity to benefit from Learning exchanges, linkages with partners that will help them upscale and enhance their agendas within their respective communities

MUUNGANO WA WANAVIJIJI FEDERATION MEMBERS have been a major part of the committees and it is an inspiration to see them represent their respective wards in different capacities and take charge in voicing out through the processes- a true definition of the federation spirit. A milestone it is, that over 70% members of the Federation were elected in the Ward Climate Change Planning Committees within their respective wards.    

A SECTION OF THE FEDERATION MEMBERS ELECTED IN THE WCCPCS LEADERSHIP FROM NAIVASHA SUB-COUNTY WHO TOOK PART IN THE WRITE SHOP

With a unified purpose and the intention to positively disrupt this space, the Movement steadfastly embraces unity and wholeheartedly adheres to the principles of the federation. Our aim is to promote and uphold socio-economic stability and empowerment for vulnerable groups.

We persevere and maintain optimism, as our spirit embodies hope, advocacy, investment in the future, bravery, and a resounding voice for those seldom heard. We remain dedicated to our commitment and, with the gospel of MUUNGANO, reach out to inspire more individuals to join our cause and become part of the Movement.

NEXT STEPS

Following the write-shop, several action steps were agreed upon to help the committee members sustain the momentum from this point:

1. Follow-up on capacity strengthening of the remaining ward committees. PERSON RESPONSIBLE: Nakuru County Government - Director Grace.

2. Committees to share proposals with other stakeholders previously mapped out.

3. Follow-up on completed and forwarded proposals to the county Director. PERSON RESPONSIBLE: Committee Chairpersons.

4. Share the training feedback with other committee members.

5. Communication teams to be proactive on social media.