Introduction

Strong disaster risk governance is the cornerstone of resilient societies. As the frequency and intensity of disasters increase due to climate change, rapid urbanization, and complex global threats, institutions must evolve to effectively manage risks, coordinate responses, and build long-term resilience. The Disaster Risk Governance and Institutional Strengthening Training Course is a specialized program designed to enhance the capacity of institutions and policymakers to lead, legislate, finance, and implement disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies in alignment with global frameworks and national priorities.

This comprehensive course focuses on improving risk governance systems, fostering institutional accountability, promoting cross-sector coordination, and enhancing regulatory and policy frameworks. Participants will develop the skills to assess governance structures, build capacity within public institutions, and integrate DRR into planning, budgeting, and development agendas. This training also strengthens the ability of organizations to decentralize risk management, promote community-based governance, and build inclusive and transparent decision-making processes that leave no one behind.

Target Audience

• Government officials in disaster risk and resilience policy
• National and local emergency management authorities
• DRR and climate adaptation program managers
• Public administration and institutional capacity specialists
• Urban planners and infrastructure development officers
• Civil society and community development leaders
• Donor agencies and international development partners
• Academic and policy researchers in governance and risk

Course Objectives

• Understand the foundations of disaster risk governance and its components
• Assess the effectiveness of current governance frameworks and institutional mandates
• Strengthen legal and policy instruments for disaster risk management
• Integrate DRR into national development and public investment systems
• Promote vertical and horizontal coordination across government levels
• Build institutional capacity and leadership in risk-informed planning
• Foster public participation and stakeholder engagement in decision-making
• Improve transparency, accountability, and financing mechanisms in DRR
• Strengthen monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of risk governance
• Align institutional strategies with international frameworks (e.g., Sendai Framework)
• Promote inclusive governance approaches for vulnerable and marginalized groups

Duration

5 Days

Course Outline

Module 1: Principles and Frameworks of Disaster Risk Governance

• Definition, dimensions, and value of good risk governance
• Global frameworks: Sendai Framework, SDGs, Paris Agreement
• Roles and responsibilities of institutions at various levels
• Core principles of transparency, accountability, participation
• Institutional barriers and enablers in risk governance

Module 2: Legal, Policy, and Regulatory Instruments

• Review and reform of disaster management legislation
• Policy coherence between DRR, climate, and development
• Land use planning, building codes, and environmental laws
• Legal mandates for risk financing and resource allocation
• Case studies on policy reform and regulatory innovation

Module 3: Institutional Capacity and Organizational Strengthening

• Assessing institutional readiness and functionality
• Structuring national and local DRR institutions
• Leadership development and skill-building strategies
• Internal coordination, workflows, and reporting systems
• Tools for institutional performance evaluation

Module 4: Risk-Informed Development and Strategic Planning

• Integrating DRR into development policies and budgets
• Multi-sectoral planning frameworks and risk audits
• Investment planning and cost-benefit analysis for resilience
• Risk-sensitive infrastructure and public asset management
• Institutionalizing DRR in national development plans

Module 5: Coordination Mechanisms and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

• National platforms and inter-agency coordination bodies
• Collaboration with private sector, academia, and civil society
• Decentralized governance and local government roles
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies
• Conflict-sensitive and inclusive governance approaches

Module 6: Public Accountability, Risk Financing, and Transparency

• Budgeting and financial tracking for DRR activities
• Disaster risk financing instruments and insurance schemes
• Anti-corruption strategies and fiduciary risk control
• Community oversight and grievance redress mechanisms
• Open data and public disclosure policies

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Governance

• DRR indicators and institutional performance metrics
• Risk governance scorecards and institutional audits
• Feedback mechanisms and adaptive policy design
• Reporting obligations to international frameworks
• Strengthening learning systems and institutional memory

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.