United Nations Development Programme National Communications Support Programme

United Nations Development Programme National Communications Support Programme GEF/UNDP/UNEP CC Forum, Buenos Aires, 13 December 2204 Yamil Bonduki

National Communications Process • Self-assessment exercise ($15, 000) – Stocktaking – Stakeholders consultations • Preparation of project proposals ($405, 000 exp. ) – – Country-driven process Wider participation of stakeholders Based on national priorities Linkages with development issues

Self-assessment Exercise Objective • to undertake a consultative and participatory process of needs assessment to identify and validate priorities for the preparation of National Communications – Stocktaking is the first but critical step in preparing a SNC proposal – It identifies gaps, uncertainties and priority areas for new studies – It ensures broader consultation and involvement with stakeholders – It seeks to build on previous activities, studies, experiences and institutional settings

Self-assessment Exercise • An analysis of work carried out under previous climate change enabling activities, e. g. INC and top-up activities • New studies and areas of work • Synergies with international initiatives, e. g. NCSA, biodiversity, land degradation • Linkages with relevant national programmes • Priorities on the basis of consultations • Good practice and lessons learned during the INC preparation

Self Assessment Exercise • The consultation process seeks to: – determine who should participate in the SNC and how to involve each stakeholder – establish appropriate process for the national communication – ensure widespread ownership over the main products – design institutional arrangements, coordination mechanism, and follow up

Self Assessment Exercise • Large demand: Intensive effort – – • 62 countries currently engaged in the self-assessments at different stages of progress 3 -month period but time required may be longer Approach – Exercise is not a stand-alone activity • • • Analysis, distillation of information and studies, Preparation of briefings Questionnaires Consultations at different stages and levels Matrixes and ranking of priorities Preparation of draft project proposals

Preparation of NC proposals • Process in place – – – • Templates for requesting funds for self-assessment Project document format Guidance material on preparing project proposals Currents status and future – – • Ten countries have submitted their complete proposal or first drafts for comments At least 70 countries engaged in the preparation of NCs in 2005 Technical support – – – Interactive process, technical backstopping on-line to provide feedback at different stages of the preparatory phase Sharing of countries’ experiences by making available examples of project proposals from other countries Utilization of other forums to provide guidance to countries, e. g. Eastern Europe

Stocktaking exercise: Albania case • Activity duration – 20 weeks • Stakeholders involved – two groups_ primary and secondary ( 50 people) • Scope of the stocktaking – All thematic areas (as indicated by 17/CP 8) from the lenses of gaps, uncertainties, priorities. • Approach to the stocktaking – in-desk review, e-discussions, questionnaires, interviews, mini workshops; multi criteria analysis (priority system in V&A); key sources (GHG inventory).

Stocktaking exercise: Albania case • Strategy of the stocktaking –Use it to develop the baseline for the SNC proposal, (priorities, gaps, uncertainties, new programs) –Held regular/step by step consultations with NCSU and Regional office –Use other forums (regional, global) for exchanging views and good practices with colleagues –Identify linkages to UN policy and national development agenda: MDGs, PRSP, MYFF, CCA, UNDAF. • Main deliverables: –Synthesis report on stocktaking –Project Proposal for SNC.

Albania - Prioritization matrix for V&A

GEF/UNDP/UNEP National Communications Support Programme (NCSP) • Support for all NAI Parties (regardless of IA selected) • Flexible, needs-based approach – Survey on needs conducted • Core thematic areas – Inventories, adaptation, mitigation – Technology transfer and needs assessments – Integration of climate issues into development policies

Programme Objectives 1. To facilitate implementation of NCs 2. To prepare and disseminate technical materials 3. To sustain capacity building efforts through: – – – knowledge sharing and best practices communications and outreach regional institutions Collaboration with regional partners will be actively promoted

NCSP Approach • NCSP activities to be initiated in early 2005 in coordination with initiation of NC process in countries • Focus on national priorities on the basis of consultations with countries • Training activities to respond to countries’ needs • Strong emphasis on knowledge sharing through lessons learned, not only information dissemination • Provide support for duration of NC preparation Identify assistance needs through proactive monitoring and direct feedback from countries

NCSP Technical Support Mechanism Proactive promotes learning Direct Response Monitoring of EAS to identify emerging issues Technical feedback on thematic studies of NCs Strategic development of methods, tools and services Sub-regional/national training workshops (needs basis) Distillation of available knowledge (lessons learned/best practices) Knowledge Networks (“help desk”) Website Web-based training Newsletter, list-server Roster of international and regional experts and institutions

NCSP support activities • During project implementation: – – – Identify and share good practices on the basis of countries’ experiences Provide technical feedback on draft NCs and individual reports Provide guidance on methodological issues and resource materials, addressing gaps where relevant Conduct regional thematic workshop Conduct sub-regional, targeted training activities

NCSP Implementation Strategy • • Consultations with NC coordinators on a regular basis Cooperation with regional institutions for technical assistance Flexible scheme to address changing priorities during preparation of NCs Web-based training materials, where appropriate Central element of the NCSP is to develop integrated technical assistance with the CGE Chair will participate in the NCSP Advisory Committee

NCSP: Communications strategy • Website – Updated monthly – Hosts Knowledge Networks – Expanded library of resources • Email list-server – Monthly information updates (e. g. project results, lessons learned, general climate news) • Quarterly Newsletter – Informing on NCSP and UNDP-GEF climate activities • UNFCCC side events to inform on progress