Massive open online course ON Social, Environmental, and Climate Standards - sustain 2

Gratuito

Massive open online course ON Social, Environmental, and Climate Standards - sustain 2

IFAD SUSTAIN II

Autoguiado

O curso está disponível em English, Français, Español, العربية (AR)

This MOOC, available in English, Arabic, French and Spanish, provides a solid introductory overview of IFAD’s Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP) and how they guide sustainable project design and risk management.

We believe you’ll find the content not only enriching for your own professional growth, but also valuable for contributing to your organisation, by applying Environmental, Social and Climate standards directly in your project.

Key features

Structured Learning Path

Eleven micro-modules in three sections guide you from SECAP fundamentals to its application and standards.

Practical and Impactful

Gain skills to apply SECAP, promote inclusion, and influence sustainable rural development policies.

Flexible and Recognized

Self-paced, multimedia-rich learning with lifelong access and digital certification.

Introduction to the course

This MOOC introduces participants to SECAP, IFAD’s procedures for assessing and managing Environmental, Social and Climate (ESC) risks in projects. It explains the purpose and key requirements of each ESC standard, and how they are applied in practice.

Learning is delivered through interactive online modules, videos, podcasts, and guided use of the SECAP volumes, supported by practical exercises such as the risk screening tool and real case studies that link the standards to decisions across the IFAD project cycle.

Who attends this course?

This course is designed for:

Project management or implementation unit staff
Senior Government officials in Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, or related fields
ESC regulatory bodies active in agriculture and rural development
ESC consultants and contractors
Non-sovereign operations (NSOs)
Procurement specialists
Anyone interested in social, environmental, and climate standards

What will I learn?

IFAD’s Environmental, Social and Climate (ESC) Standards: purpose, scope, and key requirements
Environmental, social and climate risk concepts and the mitigation hierarchy (avoid–minimize–mitigate–offset)
Preventive measures and risk management integrated into project design and decision-making
Stakeholder engagement essentials, including accessible grievance redress mechanisms
Application of ESC Standards across the IFAD project cycle
Relevant SECAP due diligence process and the associated project documentation supporting each project step.

Curious about how SECAP drives sustainable development? Let’s begin!

What will I be able to do?

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

Explain what SECAP is and what it is used for (diagnostic tool, risk mitigation, generate stronger development outcomes) and the key guiding principles, concepts and requirements of the updated SECAP
Differentiate between roles and responsibilities for IFAD and the borrower/recipient/partner
Identify and summarize the features of Screening and Categorization, Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation stages in the IFAD project cycle
Identify the importance of engaging stakeholders and addressing their grievances (GRM)
Explain the objectives and key requirements of each ESC standard
Recognize the importance of complying with ESC standards to avoid, minimise, mitigate, offset, or compensate for adverse environmental, social, and climate impacts

How is the course organized?

Through this learning journey, you’ll explore 11 modules divided into 3 sections:

Section 1: Overview of SECAP:

1.1 Introduction to SECAP

1.2 SECAP in Practice, Risks, and Mainstreaming Opportunities

1.3 Requirements in SECAP and Case Study

Section 2: ESC in the IFAD Project Cycle:

2.1 Project Identification: COSOP

2.2 SECAP Procedures – Screening and Categorization

2.3 SECAP Procedures – Assessment

2.4 SECAP Procedures – Monitoring and Evaluation

Section 3: The Nine Social, Environmental, and Climate Standards:

3.1 Standards 1 & 2: Biodiversity Conservation & Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention

3.2 Standards 3 & 4: Cultural Heritage & Indigenous People

3.3 Standards 5 & 6: Labour and Working Conditions & Community Health and Safety

3.4 Standards 7, 8 & 9: Physical and economic resettlement, Financial Intermediaries and Direct Investments & Climate Change

Why should I join?

Expertise: Acquire practical knowledge of SECAP to design sustainable projects and manage social, environmental, and climate risks effectively.
Flexibility: Learn at your own pace with lifelong access to interactive modules, multimedia resources, and practical tools—anytime, anywhere.
Certificate of Participation: Your achievement deserves recognition!
Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll receive your digital credentials by email. You can add them to your CV, LinkedIn profile, or digital badge backpack to showcase your accomplishment.