Zambia Green Jobs Programme
The Zambia Green Jobs Planning Workshop sets the direction for a greener 2015
With the mission to create a consolidated work plan for 2015, over 45 stakeholders representing government, the private sector, academia and the five participating UN agencies (ILO, UNCTAD, UNEP, ITC and FAO) came together at the Zambia Green Jobs Annual Planning Workshop which took place from 4 to 6 February, in Siavonga, Zambia.
10 February 2015
With the mission to create a consolidated work plan for 2015, over 45 stakeholders representing government, the private sector, academia and the five participating UN agencies (ILO, UNCTAD, UNEP, ITC and FAO) came together at the Zambia Green Jobs Annual Planning Workshop which took place from 4 to 6 February, in Siavonga, Zambia. The workshop strengthened and emphasised the principles of ownership, institutionalization as well as identifying common grounds for results in 2015.
The Zambia Green Jobs Programme (ZGJP) recognises that developing inter-linkages at institutional level will greatly enhance the efficiency of the programme. Therefore in 2014, the ZGJP established various partnerships with key institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, Lafarge Zambia, Zambia Development Agency, the National Council for Construction, the National Association for Medium and Small Scale Contractors (NAMSSC), the Copperbelt University and several other stakeholders, all of whom participated in the planning workshop. During the three day workshop, the participants were guided through a creative and highly participatory process where each stakeholder brought their specific expertise and experience to the table.
The workshop kicked off with a “2014 timeline exploration” into the wide range of activities the ZGJP and its partners were involved with, ranging from launching of the Zambia Green Jobs Assessment with the Ministry of Finance, the revision of the Zambian Building legislation and policy to the first group of entrepreneurs to participate in the “Start and Improve Your Green Construction Business” training programme together with NAMSSC. These 2014 achievements were identified as a solid base for the 2015 planning, where partners were urged to “plan for success” and focus on tangible results.
Time was dedicated to identifying current trends affecting the Zambian building construction sector, and how these can be incorporated in the ZGJP 2015 planning. Notable trends recognised by the participants were the increased demand for urban housing and urban green planning, the necessity for resource efficiency (water, electricity and timber) and a perceived increased sensitivity in Zambia for a greener and more sustainable future.
The workshop concluded with an “open space” session where all participants were invited to discuss and plan for 2015 in relation with the topics of their choice and interest, and based upon the existing partnership agreements. To stimulate diversity, creativity and in institutional inter-linkages, no limitations in time and space where placed upon the participants. All opinions were considered valid and, where possible, integrated in the work plan, guided by the Zambia Green Jobs Results clusters.
As a result, the 2015 work plan contains concrete activities and targets such as the establishment of a Zambia Green Building Association, the completion of the Green Jobs Assessment, construction of Green Demonstration Houses, institutionalization of technical skills training programmes and greened academic curricula in build environment. The consolidated work plan will be presented and adopted at the next ZGJP Steering Committee Meeting scheduled for February 16, 2015.
In short, the ZGJP 2015 planning workshop successfully brought together a group of motivated and enthusiastic partners, all pursuing a common agenda and objectives, focussing on job creation, enterprise development and a greener building construction industry in Zambia.
The Zambia Green Jobs Programme (ZGJP) recognises that developing inter-linkages at institutional level will greatly enhance the efficiency of the programme. Therefore in 2014, the ZGJP established various partnerships with key institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, Lafarge Zambia, Zambia Development Agency, the National Council for Construction, the National Association for Medium and Small Scale Contractors (NAMSSC), the Copperbelt University and several other stakeholders, all of whom participated in the planning workshop. During the three day workshop, the participants were guided through a creative and highly participatory process where each stakeholder brought their specific expertise and experience to the table.
The workshop kicked off with a “2014 timeline exploration” into the wide range of activities the ZGJP and its partners were involved with, ranging from launching of the Zambia Green Jobs Assessment with the Ministry of Finance, the revision of the Zambian Building legislation and policy to the first group of entrepreneurs to participate in the “Start and Improve Your Green Construction Business” training programme together with NAMSSC. These 2014 achievements were identified as a solid base for the 2015 planning, where partners were urged to “plan for success” and focus on tangible results.
Time was dedicated to identifying current trends affecting the Zambian building construction sector, and how these can be incorporated in the ZGJP 2015 planning. Notable trends recognised by the participants were the increased demand for urban housing and urban green planning, the necessity for resource efficiency (water, electricity and timber) and a perceived increased sensitivity in Zambia for a greener and more sustainable future.
The workshop concluded with an “open space” session where all participants were invited to discuss and plan for 2015 in relation with the topics of their choice and interest, and based upon the existing partnership agreements. To stimulate diversity, creativity and in institutional inter-linkages, no limitations in time and space where placed upon the participants. All opinions were considered valid and, where possible, integrated in the work plan, guided by the Zambia Green Jobs Results clusters.
As a result, the 2015 work plan contains concrete activities and targets such as the establishment of a Zambia Green Building Association, the completion of the Green Jobs Assessment, construction of Green Demonstration Houses, institutionalization of technical skills training programmes and greened academic curricula in build environment. The consolidated work plan will be presented and adopted at the next ZGJP Steering Committee Meeting scheduled for February 16, 2015.
In short, the ZGJP 2015 planning workshop successfully brought together a group of motivated and enthusiastic partners, all pursuing a common agenda and objectives, focussing on job creation, enterprise development and a greener building construction industry in Zambia.