3 – 14 Oktober 2016 in Nakuru, Kenya GREENING THE GROWTH

Greening the Growth is a two-week learning programme offered by Danida Fellowship Centre. It will take place 3 – 14 October in Nakuru, Kenya, and will be implemented by NIRAS in close cooperation with a Kenyan partner organisation.

Why this learning programme?Green Growth has steadily moved up on the international agenda fuelled by the growing understanding that it may provide new opportunities for economic growth and increased employment in times where the global economy is facing strong challenges. Green Growth is furthermore important due to the growing concern for the impact of climate change, overuse of natural resources, increasing pollution and environmental degradation.

In many developing and middle income countries growth is gaining pace. Cities are growing, new industries are mushrooming, energy demand is increasing dramatically and the need for agricultural produce is as high as ever. Huge investments in different types of development are made in the coming years by governments, private companies, citizens and donors. To avoid wasting those investments on outdated and unsustainable technologies and practises, it is urgent to promote green growth in both the private and the public sectors. Rather than taking the long, costly and environmentally harmful road the industrialized countries took to get where they are today, developing countries should leapfrog into a more sustainable future wherever possible.

With a global population of more than 7 billion people and growing, Green Growth with a pro-poor focus becomes more than just a business idea; it is a most needed survival strategy, aimed at satisfying the need for growth and development while ensuring a sustainable use of natural resources and the ability of the environment to provide the ecosystem services on which we depend. As expressed by the World Bank, Green Growth is about making growth processes resource-efficient, cleaner and more resilient – without necessarily slowing

them, i.e. growing in a smarter way towards inclusive, low-carbon, zero-waste societies!

The learning programme will provide the participants with:• Understanding of the concept of and the

rationale behind Green Growth• Knowledge of green business opportunities

and cases• Improved ability to identify and analyse Green

Growth opportunities and sources of financing

• A network of national / international actors and an understanding of potential synergies between businesses

• A knowledge platform for promoting Green Growth policies in the public system

Learning approachThe learning programme aims at inspiring and motivating stakeholders from the private sector to focus more on Green Growth business areas. It will show that consideration for the environ-ment is not just a requirement from authorities; it holds opportunities for new business to develop and prosper, can lead to saving opportunities in the production processes and it is fundamental to the development of a country.

This will be achieved through a blend of training approaches, including lectures, group exercises, and excursions. Focus will be on challenging the participants to think in an innovative and creative way, identifying both new business areas and the possibilities to create synergies with other businesses for optimal use of resources e.g. in relation to energy and/or waste recycling. Through the work with an individual action plan the participants will plan for strengthening existing or pursuing new green growth initiatives in their organisation. The development of the action plan will be supported by mentors, but driven by the participants who will be working in peer-groups. Participants are asked to consider ideas for their action plan and to complete a short e-learning course in action-planning and one in Green Growth before coming to Kenya.

Content of the learning programmeThe learning programme content is divided into four modules. The work with the action plan is organised as a parallel activity to all modules.

Learning programme modules1. Introduction to Green Growth 2. Water, energy and food security nexus3. Green Growth policy and financing4. Networking and knowledge exchange

Application criteriaThe learning programme is designed to support green business development in Danida partner countries in Africa, Asia and South America. The target group includes SMEs, trade / business associations, trade unions and public sector involved in promoting, supporting and implement-ing green growth activities. Selection of course participants will be carried out by DFC and the NIRAS course management team based on incoming applications. Participants must be affiliated with activities supported by the Danish development cooperation. If possible, we welcome two or more participants from each organisation, as it facilitates the work with the action plan and strengthens the learning process during the work in the home office. Good working knowledge of English is required.

Application procedureApplication procedures must follow the proce-dures stipulated in “Guidelines for Danida Fellowships”. The guidelines are available at DFC’s website. The application form is electronic. To ensure only people who are affiliated with Danida funded programmes applies for the learning programme, you have to contact your local Danish Embassy or your Danida Programme to get the link for the application form. The application is filled in online and your Danida programme is to endorse the application by filling in the Endorse-ment page. The selection of the participants will be carried out by DFC and the course manage-ment. Deadline for submitting the forms to a Danish Embassy is 29 June, 2016.

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NIRASBredgade 30, 3. sal1260 Copenhagen K DenmarkT +45 3537 4200E koebenhavn@niras.dkwww.niras.com

DFCHostrupsvej 221950 Frederiksberg CDenmarkT +45 3536 1322E dfc@dfcentre.dkwww.dfcentre.com

Cost of participationThe learning programme is co-funded by Danida Capacity Development Support Programme. Participants’ organizations will be charged DKK 2,500 per study week. This covers study fee, accommodation, allowances and – for non-Kenyan residents – international travel and insurances.

Further information about the courseFor questions regarding the contents of the learning programme and its implementation please contact the Course Manager, Mr Henrik Borgtoft Pedersen: hbp@niras.dk

Course management & tutorsMr. Henrik Borgtoft Pedersen (Ph.D. Biology) from NIRAS Denmark has been active in training activities throughout his professional career. His positions at Danish and Ecuadorian universities and as a consultant have included general capacity building, course organisation and teaching. He has 25 years of experience working with environment, development, green growth and climate change issues in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Mr. Stephen Forder (Sustainable Development Management and Planning) from South Africa consults, writes and provides training on renewable energy, waste, and sustainable living in general. He is the founder and developer of the Energy Blog (http://energy.org.za), which tracks the development of South Africa’s renewable energy programme.

The learning programme will further draw on the human resources of NIRAS, as well as regional and national organisations and experts.

Danida Fellowship Centre and NIRAS in briefDanida Fellowship Centre has contracted NIRAS to develop and implement the learning pro-gramme.

What is Danida Fellowship Centre?Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC) manages and implements Danida Capacity Development Support Programme, which supplies training in support of capacity development in Danida’s programmes and projects worldwide. DFC is responsible for the educational, administrative and practical aspects of the training. Further information at www.dfcentre.com.

What is NIRAS?NIRAS is one of the largest consulting engineer-ing companies in Denmark and has 1,400 employees. The company provides services within the fields of agriculture, forestry, environment, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change adaptation, building and industry, civil works, social sciences and transport. NIRAS operates worldwide and has subsidiaries in a number of countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. Further information at www.niras.com.