Mapping Success: FAO’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Training Program for Ukraine

From 11 to 29 November 2024, FAO delivered a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) training program to boost the technical skills of FAO Ukraine personnel, with focus on improving their project reporting practices. The training targeted project managers, researchers, and professionals involved in project reporting who needed to create and publish maps, regardless of prior GIS experience.

Conducted virtually, the course "ntroduction to QGIS for Publishing Maps for Project Reporting" aimed at equipping participants with the skills to harness GIS technology, improving both the clarity and effectiveness of their project presentations.

Building strong foundations

The program was held virtually designed to establish a solid understanding of GIS to FAO personnel in Ukraine. Participants were introduced to the basic principles of GIS, including its definition, history, and core components. They examined how GIS could improve project reporting and decision-making, using real-world case studies to demonstrate its practical applications. The early sessions also introduced QGIS, the primary software used throughout the course.

Participants focused then on specific topics such as vector and raster spatial data and their respective formats. They learned to source data from open portals and satellite imagery, and were trained in importing, exporting, and managing different file formats and projections. The curriculum also included methods for organizing spatial data efficiently for GIS projects.

The training further explored data visualization, guiding participants on how to represent spatial data on maps using layers and symbology. They practiced basic spatial analysis techniques like buffering, overlaying, and querying data, and learned to manage attribute tables to enhance maps with relevant information.

Practical applications within a virtual environment

Although delivered online, the course emphasized hands-on learning. Participants applied the concepts from each session by working with GIS tools and real-world datasets. The course’s blend of theoretical and practical learning ensured meaningful engagement and skill acquisition, equipping participants with the skills to integrate GIS into project reporting, as they learned GIS fundamentals, spatial data management, and map publishing techniques.

The ability to create accurate, visually engaging maps using QGIS, applying FAO's map publication guidance and integrating spatial and non-spatial data, will improve project outputs, enhancing communication and decision-making. This initiative not only strengthens individual skills but also fosters a broader adoption of GIS in FAO Ukraine’s project management and reporting practices.

Kelvin Nyabuti, GIS Analyst, highlighted the training program’s value, stating, "The true worth of this initiative lies in its ability to translate GIS concepts into actionable insights that directly contribute to better project outcomes."

Shaping the future of GIS in project reporting

Therefore, the FAO QGIS training program represents a significant advancement in Ukraine’s project reporting practices. By educating professionals with the necessary skills to manage and present spatial data effectively, the program sets a new benchmark for project communication. As concluded by Gianluca Franceschini, Information Technology Officer, CSI and trainer, ‘This initiative reflects again FAO’s commitment to supporting sustainable development through professional empowerment and the promotion of data-driven decision-making'.