Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change and most countries are already experiencing its impacts. There is a strong need for the generation of improved climate information for Africa and its application in adaptation options and within decision-making. Despite this, Africa’s scientific capacity development systems, such as within climate change research, are generally weak. One of the key opportunities to improving the climate resilience of Africa is the long-term investment in scientific capacity.

Future Climate for Africa (FCFA), recognising this fundamental problem, developed a scientific capacity development (SCD) programme that formed an essential component of FCFA. The aim was to develop greater capacity in the scientific community to deliver demand-led, relevant and actionable information; stronger multi-disciplinary and international collaboration; and greater capacity of African scientists. The particular focus was on improving the ability of Early Career Researchers within FCFA institutions or FCFA affiliated institutions.

There are 95 Early Career Researchers that are direct recipients of FCFA capacity development initiatives delivered through the mechanism of the Mobility and Innovation Fund. The Mobility Fund has funded 112 travel grants since its inception for the purpose of attendance of workshops, conferences, secondments, and training and 12 research projects have been funded through the Innovation Fund.

In this video, FCFA interviewed a number of Early Career Researchers that have been part of the programme to get an understanding of their experience and how FCFA has helped in building their skills.