Education Framework | Dryland Futures Academy

In May 2024, the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action convened a workshop in Nairobi to formulate an ‘Education Framework’ to guide collaborative co-development and delivery of capacity development opportunities around the Dryland Futures Academy.

Alongside the Framework, participants agreed the four learning pathways, a set of seven principles and a broad set of core competencies..

Principles each reflect a crucial aspect of capacity development for a variety of learners, embracing the multifaceted challenges and dynamics of pastoral livelihoods.

Competencies were developed for each learning pathway and broken down further to focus on specific target audiences. Methods of monitoring impact as well as measuring attainment for an individual learner were also suggested.

Download the Framework

Dryland leadership pathway

Principles	Competencies
Principle 1: Embrace the essence of pastoralism	Understanding of pastoralism
Principle 2: Harness local knowledge and foster collaboration	Interdisciplinary knowledge, stakeholder engagement and collaboration
Principle 3: Ecosystem-centric approaches for resilient drylands	Resource management and sustainable development
Principle 4: Climate-resilient livelihoods and diversification	Risk assessment and early warning systems
Principle 5: Adaptive governance and policy support	Policy analysis and development
Principle 6: Harnessing technology and innovation	Capacity building and institutional strengthening
Principle 7: Data-driven anticipatory action	Monitoring, evaluation and learning, financial planning and resource mobilization, conflict resolution and peacebuilding

Continuing education pathway

Principles	Competencies
Principle 1: Embrace the essence of pastoralism	Basic understanding of pastoralism – people, land, and livestock
Principle 2: Harness local knowledge and foster collaboration	Soft skills – skills, communication skills, managing upwards
Principle 4: Climate-resilient livelihoods and diversification	Risk assessment
Principle 6: Harnessing technology and innovation	Technical skills – Policy around drylands, system training, research skills – analytical, synthesis skills
Prilege 7: Data-driven anticipatory action	Understanding of early warning and anticipatory action and food security and nutrition assessment

Academic and formal education pathway

Principles	Competencies
Principle 1: Embrace the essence of pastoralism	Pastoral livelihoods analysis
Principle 2: Harness local knowledge and foster collaboration	Research skills, community engagement and participatory approaches
Principle 3: Ecosystem-centric approaches for resilient drylands	Rangeland ecology and management, water resource management
Principle 4: Climate-resilient livelihoods and diversification	Climate resilience assessment
Principle 6: Harnessing technology and innovation	Livestock health and welfare, innovation in livestock systems
Principle 7: Data-driven anticipatory action	Communication and knowledge sharing, conflict resolution and peacebuilding

Community skills sharing and learning pathway

Principles	Competencies
Principle 1: Embrace the essence of pastoralism	Basic understanding of pastoralism
Principle 2: Harness local knowledge and foster collaboration	Community engagement and participation, communication and knowledge sharing
Principle 3: Ecosystem-centric approaches for resilient drylands	Local resource mobilization
Principle 4: Climate-resilient livelihoods and diversification	Livelihood diversification and resilience strategies, basic first aid and emergency preparedness
Principle 5: Adaptive governance and policy support	Partnership development
Principle 6: Harnessing technology and innovation	Adaptability and resilience building
Principle 7: Data-driven anticipatory action	Awareness of climate hazards and risks, knowledge of early warning systems