Online diplomas on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

Complete diploma information and course syllabi

These courses begin by introducing basic climate change concepts and participatory disaster preparedness and develop as participants identify local community vulnerabilities, identify risks and hazards, investigate appropriate solutions, design, launch and manage projects..

Online course participants are using our courses to develop real, on-the-ground projects with real communities both individually and through North/South student partnerships. The courses use the flexibility of online delivery to help you learn through case studies, field assignments with communities, and group discussions with fellow students providing a complete learning environment. You will share experiences with fellow participants working in the field.

STEP 1: Diploma 340 - Community Based Adaptation to Climate Change

OL 341 - Designing & Funding Community-Based Adaptation Projects.

Gain an insight into contemporary methods of developing community based, sustainable, impact-oriented projects. Gain practical field tools and develop a range of skills: facilitating participatory needs assessments and DRR assessments, designing projects, and evidence-based activities. Develop a real project in real time.

OL 342 - Planning for Impact

Imbed impact into your adaptation project design with a powerful set of management tools. Log frames, detailed budgets, timelines, compelling fact sheets, M&E plans, outcomes and impact. These tools will communicate to donors and stakeholders exactly what you are trying to accomplish and can be used for effective management of the project once funded.

OL 343 - The Community Focus

What does climate change adaptation mean at the community level? What practical tools are available today for communities to use in adaptation and in DRR? Conduct a baseline survey including climate vulnerability, risk assessment, an adaptation capacity analysis, and gain an understanding of local knowledge of a changing climate and of coping strategies. For practitioners who wish to begin working now at the community level to successfully adapt to the challenges that face us.

OL 344 - Sustainable Implementation

How do you launch and implement a community based adaptation/DRR project? The importance of community engagement and project co-management. Developing skill sets for your community to use in the adaptation process. Learning tools: monitoring & evaluation. Community empowerment during project hand-over. Sustainability, follow-up & mentoring.

STEP 2: Diploma 440 - Integrated Community Based Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction & Rural Development

After successful completion of the four prerequisite courses, you will be invited to enroll in elective courses. You will be able to choose four courses from the list here to complete the diploma program.

Event fee

Target audience

Course participants are of all different ages, genders and professions and have included Northern and Southern staff from INGOs, field staff from in-country NGOs, donors, executive directors, students, scientists, consultants and people who would like to transition into development work. These are online courses that have a local, in-country field component. Northern participants who don't have community access are partnered with Southern participants that do have community access.

How to register

To register, please, visit the official webpage here.