Partners

Copperbelt University (CBU)

Copperbelt University (CBU), Zambia's second-largest public university, comprises 10 schools.

The FACE-NDC project is anchored in the School of Natural Resources with other technical and science-based schools involved in climate change mitigation efforts offering complimentary support in project implementation. CBU also hosts a UNESCO Chair focused on sustainable teacher education.

With two members on the International Panel of Climate Change, CBU actively engages in related programmes and maintains strong ties with the Copperbelt Region’s private sector.
It supports student placements and applied research.

As a consortium and implementing partner in the project, CBU benefits from targeted capacity-building support. These efforts aim to strengthen its educational outreach and alignment with national sector needs. 

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized UN agency, that leads international efforts to defeat hunger working closely with governments in the agriculture and forestry sectors and is the custodian of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 2 and 12 among others.

It supports climate resilience and youth empowerment through initiatives like YUNGA, which engages millions via partnerships with global scout and guide movements.

As lead of the FACE-NDC project, FAO drives education and skill development in renewable energy and environmental stewardship, utilizing geospatial tools and global networks to align with international climate commitments.

The University of Zambia (UNZA)

The University of Zambia (UNZA), the country’s largest public university, comprises 13 schools and various research institutes focused on development.
It underwrites teacher certification and is central to climate change and sustainability education, hosting a UNESCO Chair in Renewable Energy and Environment.

Under the FACE-NDC project, UNZA delivers training for pre-service teachers and leads formal education initiatives from early childhood to tertiary levels. It promotes the whole-school approach and links formal with non-formal learning. UNZA is developing a centre of excellence for climate change and sustainability education and enhancing staff expertise in behavioural science and the green transition.

It also offers advanced training modules tailored to public and private sector needs.

Unesco

UNESCO fosters peace and security through global cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.

As the lead agency for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), it guides global efforts toward achieving the 17 SDGs via frameworks like ESD for 2030 and the ACE guidelines under UNFCCC. In Southern Africa, UNESCO strengthens teacher education through regional strategies and initiatives such as Sustainability Starts with Teachers.

It partners with national ministries and institutions to enhance curricula, training, and gender-responsive pedagogy. Under the FACE-NDC project, UNESCO supports formal education reforms using blended learning approaches.
Its convening role also enables sharing of climate education best practices and encourages integration between formal and non-formal learning.

Unitar

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future. As a training arm of the UN, UNITAR has specific expertise in skills assessments, training and capacity building. 
It hosts the secretariat for the One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn), a collaborative initiative of 36 multilateral organizations working to take a strategic approach to climate change learning and help countries build the knowledge and skills required to take action on climate change through the development and implementation of national climate change learning strategies. 

As a founding partner of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), UNITAR develops institutional and societal expertise to sustain, grow and implement green economy policies and projects through international training programmes, national competency development and learning strategies, specialised training and policy dialogues.   
In the FACE-NDC project, UNITAR assesses green economy and climate change capacity gaps of public and private sector professionals in the areas of forestry, agriculture and renewable energy and develop tailored capacity building to address identified gaps.   UNITAR enhances global decision-making through training, capacity building, and strategic climate learning initiatives like UN CC:Learn.

In Zambia, it supports the National Climate Change Learning Strategy and partners with PAGE to strengthen institutions for green economy education.
As a lead in the FACE-NDC project, UNITAR assesses skills gaps across sectors and develops tailored courses and materials to address them. Its focus includes schools, universities, and vocational training, using both physical and virtual formats. UNITAR also co-leads communication efforts and creates co-creates behavioural science informed digital content.  

The Ministry of Energy

The Ministry of Energy is responsible for developing and managing energy resources in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the people.
Among its legal mandate and portfolio functions are to develop and harness renewable energy sources and implement the energy policy.

Within the project, the Ministry will provide guidance on the review of national renewable energy market needs, current developments in the sector, opportunities, and the existing barriers. It will facilitate collaboration among national stakeholders, national and international donors, and ensure that synergies with other ongoing projects are achieved.

The Ministry will also play a pivotal role in facilitating the positive interaction between FACE-NDC and its renewable energy projects throughout the implementation phase. Ministry of Energy staff will participate in the capacity development activities of the project.

The Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education oversees formal education curriculum to align project activities with Zambia’s national educational goals. Partnering with UNESCO and UNZA, it leads curriculum development and receives capacity-building support for in-service and pre-service teacher training.

The Ministry is also supported in reviewing and strengthening the Education Management Information System (EMIS) to improve data-driven decision-making.

FACE-NDC aids in digitizing supplementary learning materials through co-creation with teachers and experts. The project integrates behavioural change approaches into educational content.
It ensures inclusive impact across disadvantaged communities throughout the Zambian education system.

The Ministry of the Green Economy and Environment

The Ministry of the Green Economy and Environment leads Zambia’s efforts in green transition and climate change reporting, having developed key national strategies since 2021.
It guided the CC:Learn Strategy and shaped frameworks like the Green Economy Strategy and Climate Advocacy Strategy.

The Ministry hosts the Forestry Department and a geospatial project supported by IKI/FAO, aligning implementation with broader natural resource policies.

It chairs the Project Steering Committee and ensures consistency with national goals. As part of the FACE-NDC project, it engages in inter-ministerial collaboration and benefits from capacity-building support to strengthen institutional effectiveness.

The Ministry of Technology and Science

The Ministry of Technology and Science is responsible for formulating and reviewing technology and science policies to contribute to economic growth.

The Ministry also will take on an oversight role on all technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training institutions, through the TEVET Authority (TEVETA).
It will provide strategic guidance under the project, roll out content to TEVETs and support TEVETs to strengthen their capacity and participate in the project.