The ecbi Training and Support Programme (TSP), led by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) , has three main elements: capacity building of junior negotiators to the UNFCCC through regional and pre-COP training workshops; capacity provision to the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDC Group); and bursaries for negotiators from LDCs, to ensure their continued participation and capacity development in UNFCCC processes.
As part of the training activities, annual regional workshops for both LDCs and non-LDCs in each region are organised in:
In addition, annual Pre-COP Training Workshops are organised before each Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC.
Participants for the regional workshops are drawn from UNFCCC delegations and mainstream development ministries. The Pre-COP Workshops, meanwhile, are to inform new and junior negotiators of the issues that will be discussed in the COP, how they can be effective negotiators, and what Group priorities are. These workshops also provide an opportunity for networking, and for introducing new negotiators to senior negotiators and Group focal points. This goes a long way in streamlining the negotiating process for vulnerable Groups such as LDCs and small island Developing States (SIDS), helping the Group to be more effective despite small delegation sizes by dividing and sharing tasks. Over time, it is expected that the new negotiators who pass through these Workshops will build up expertise in specific issues.The workshops also help to build negotiating skills through role-playing and practice sessions, and post-workshop mentoring and networking of participants.
As part of the support activities, the Training and Support Programme offers bursaries that support junior negotiators in becoming subject specialists. Bursary recipients are chosen based on recommendations from senior negotiators. Technical and legal support is also provided during the climate negotiations by the ecbi partners.
