Stronger together: Collaborating with the CBIT-GSP network to boost transparency
One of the ways the CBIT-AFOLU+ and CBIT-GSP projects collaborate is by organizing training workshops in many countries.
©FAO
After the successful project steering committee meeting, the FAO CBIT-AFOLU+ team has been presenting the project to the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency - Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP) network members, and current and potential country beneficiaries, to explain the support that the project offers and receive their feedback.
By working closely together, they can leverage each other’s strengths to better support developing countries in their transition to the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). Indeed, the support provided by CBIT-AFOLU+, with a strong focus on the agriculture and land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sectors, perfectly complements the work done by the CBIT-GSP sector wide.
For more information, see the CBIT-AFOLU+ transparency support presentation
As part of this collaboration, from December 2024 to January 2025, the CBIT-AFOLU+ team participated in four CBIT-GSP annual network meetings:
- Eurasia on 20 December 2024
- Central Asia and the Caucasus on 10 January 2025
- Asia on 13 January 2025
- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) on 21 January 2025
These events played a crucial role in:
- introducing network members to the new CBIT-AFOLU+ initiative; and
- showcasing the existing collaboration between the two projects, with the shared goal of ensuring a seamless transition to the ETF for all countries.
During the events, the project was presented to 166 members from 48 countries (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Countries participating in the CBIT-GSP annual network meetings*
Overall, 52 percent of participants were women and 48 percent were men.
Figure 2. Gender distribution among participants, by region
The majority of participants were from government institutions. However, representatives from research institutes, universities, and NGOs were also present. Additionally, several members from international organizations participated, primarily in their roles as coordinators of GEF-funded projects (CBIT and Enabling Activities for the preparation of the Biennial Transparency Report).
Figure 3. Participants by affiliation
Identifying and addressing capacity gaps to benefit countries
The CBIT-AFOLU+ project also works directly with countries to identify and address capacity gaps at the individual and organizational level. This often includes facilitating dialogues among stakeholders to create a more enabling environment.
Examples of support to countries include:
- Organizing national and regional technical training workshops
- Providing online one-to-one mentoring on technical issues
- Facilitating dialogues among national institutions to facilitate collaboration and data exchange
- Assisting country teams in writing proposals to obtain additional funding
- Conducting quality assessments of Biennial transparency reports (BTRs)
> Find out more about how the CBIT-AFOLU+ project works with countries to develop capacity
Examples of country work carried out jointly with the CBIT-GSP
The two projects have worked together in:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A training workshop on assessing the GHG inventory in the LULUCF sector was carried out in July 2024 In collaboration with CBIT-GSP and UNDP.
Georgia
GHG emissions and sinks from the LULUCF sector were reviewed to prepare for the country’s first BTR submission.
Morocco
An online training workshop on using the ETF reporting tool for reporting the national GHG inventory as part of the country’s first BTR was organized.
The Philippines
Technical training workshops to build capacity primarily in developing the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for the agriculture and LULUCF sectors were organized.
Turkmenistan
An analysis of gaps and needs in LULUCF, and a training workshop on Land Use Classification, QA/QC procedures and using specific tools, were conducted with CBIT-GSP, UNDP and GIZ.
Zambia
A training workshop to build capacity in the GHG inventory for the LULUCF sector was organized.
Zimbabwe
A training workshop to build capacity in the GHG inventory for the LULUCF sector was organized.
Other countries are currently being considered for additional support. For more information and updates, subscribe to our newsletter or write to [email protected].