"... horizont3000 is recognised for its know-how in implementing sustainable development projects, particularly in relation to the environment and adaptation to climate change."
How did you discover horizont3000?
Thierno: I discovered horizont3000 through the Platform of European NGOs in Senegal (PFONGUE), where I saw the vacancy of the ACCLIMAT project coordinator and climate focal person. This opportunity caught my attention and prompted me to delve deeper into the organisation. As I explored more about horizont3000's work in Senegal, I was particularly attracted by its commitment to vulnerable communities due to climate crises and its innovative approach to resilience and adaptation to climate change.
My research also revealed that horizont3000 is recognised for its know-how in implementing sustainable development projects, particularly in relation to the environment and adaptation to climate change. The inclusive approach, which takes into account the needs of local populations and encourages their empowerment, fits in perfectly with my values and professional objectives.
As ACCLIMAT project coordinator and Climate Focal Point for the programme in Senegal, what are your main tasks?
Thierno: As ACCLIMAT Project Coordinator, my main responsibilities include planning, coordinating and implementing project activities. I validate the activity plans submitted by the partner orgmisation, supervise their implementation and carry out monitoring and evaluation in collaboration with the Senegal programme's MEAL manager. I receive and validate the technical reports and prepare the consolidated versions for approval by the horizont3000 coordination team in Dakar and Vienna.
In addition, I coordinate exchange visits by the project team at national or international level, and plan and facilitate coordination meetings at project level bringing together the various technical stakeholders. I also coordinate meetings and communications between the various project stakeholders.
As Climate Focal Person, I represent horizont3000 Senegal in forums and events related to climate change, monitoring the evolution of national and international climate policies and identifying opportunities for collaboration and funding.
In addition, I support the monitoring of partners' organisational learning in the field of climate and the environment, putting the knowledge acquired into practice and supporting the identification of contributions for the Learn&Share internet platform.
I am also involved in identifying and applying synergies between the programme's projects, contributing to the production, sharing and dissemination of knowledge, as well as building the capacity of partner teams in the climate/environment field.
What are the challenges you face as a Climate Focal Point?
Thierno: As a Climate Focal Person I face many challenges. It is crucial to stay informed and closely monitor national and international climate policies, as well as developments in agreements and initiatives relating to climate change. This requires constant monitoring and the ability to adapt quickly to changes, including participation in the Conferences of the Parties (COP) to monitor international negotiations and decisions. It is important to coordinate actions and collaborate with a wide range of partners, including government, NGOs, academic institutions and private players. A major challenge is to raise awareness and mobilise horizont3000 Senegal's partner organisations on the challenges of climate change and the actions needed to tackle it. Last but not least it is essential to take into account the most recent scientific knowledge on climate change in Africa and Senegal as part of the implementation of the horizont3000 Senegal programme.
The Senegalese Thierno Sarr is an expert in resilience and adaptation to climate change. He studied at the Centre Régional AGRHYMET (CRA) of the Comité Permanent Inter-Etats de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel (CILSS) on a grant from the European Union as part of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) project, where he specialised in resilience and adaptation to climate change. Thierno is passionate about analysing the impacts and adaptation strategies of ecosystems and socio-economic systems in the face of climate variability and change. He has mastered various tools and methods for analysing agro-climatic data and identifying the climatic risks to which production systems are exposed. Thierno has extensive experience of the vulnerability study approach and of identifying adaptation options.
Previously, Thierno worked at the Ministry of the Environment and Ecological Transition (METE /SENEGAL) as a Technical Assistant in Climate Change Adaptation within the Climate Change Division (DCC). In this role, he provided support to the Division on a number of fronts, including raising awareness and providing training on climate change, validating climate change studies, integrating climate change into policies, plans and programmes, monitoring climate change projects, coordinating the process of developing Senegal's National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and coordinating the development and implementation of Senegal's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). It also contributed to the development and submission of the national position for international negotiations on climate change under the UNFCCC.
