July 16, 2026 (Entebbe, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and the Groundwater for Resilience (GW4R) project, with support from the World Bank, successfully convened a regional Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) training in Entebbe, Uganda.
Building resilient food systems requires more than financing and technical expertise. It also requires development investments that protect people, safeguard the environment, and respond to the needs of the communities they serve.
The three-day training brought together environmental and social risk management specialists, project managers, safeguards experts, and technical teams from IGAD Member States, the IGAD Secretariat, and partner institutions to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance the implementation of World Bank-funded regional projects.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Daher Elmi, Director of Agriculture and Environment at IGAD, Ms. Caro Brenda Lorika, Environmental and Social Risks Management Expert, underscored the importance of strengthening institutional capacity to improve project delivery and achieve sustainable development outcomes.
“This training forms part of a broader capacity-building programme to strengthen environmental and social risk management and support more effective implementation of regional development projects,” she said.
As countries across the IGAD region continue investing in climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, and resilient food systems, participants explored practical approaches to managing environmental and social risks while ensuring that development reaches those who need it most.
Technical sessions focused on the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), Labour Management Procedures (LMP), occupational health and safety, stakeholder engagement, grievance redress mechanisms, and environmental and social monitoring. The programme also provided a platform for participants to exchange experiences, lessons learned, and good practices from ongoing projects across Member States.
Particular emphasis was placed on gender equality, social inclusion, and vulnerability, highlighting the importance of ensuring that women, youth, refugees, and other vulnerable groups are meaningfully engaged throughout the project cycle. Participants also examined the role of disaggregated data in measuring project outcomes and strengthening evidence-based decision-making.
Recognising that development challenges transcend national borders, the training encouraged Member States to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and move beyond isolated project implementation. Through peer learning and cross-country experience sharing, participants explored practical solutions to common implementation challenges while reinforcing the value of coordinated regional action.
Participants were also introduced to the Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS), a World Bank-supported digital platform that enhances field data collection, project monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making. The tool is expected to strengthen transparency, accountability, and data-driven implementation of regional development programmes.
Closing the training, Mr. Alex Bambona, Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition Security at Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Focal Officer for the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared development challenges. He commended IGAD for bringing Member States together to strengthen institutional capacity and knowledge exchange, noting that by working together, countries can better harness their shared potential to improve livelihoods, strengthen food security, and build prosperity across the region. He also reiterated Uganda’s continued support for IGAD and regional cooperation as a cornerstone for peace and sustainable development.
Ultimately, the training was about more than meeting safeguards requirements. It was about equipping institutions with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed to deliver development projects that are more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to the needs of people and communities.
As IGAD continues working with Member States and partners, strengthening institutional capacity, promoting collaboration, and investing in knowledge sharing will remain central to advancing resilient food systems and sustainable development across the region.
