Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam

Programme Overview

Agriculture is one of the very first industries heavily affected by climate change. Extreme weather events, changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and a rapid spread of pests and diseases pose substantial challenges to the industry’s productivity and resilience. In addition, global population growth and increased urbanization only keep straining existing food systems. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) takes a multidimensional approach focusing on those systems and practices that can boost productivity and enhance food security while preserving natural resources and minimizing GHG emissions. This workshop has been exclusively developed by Risalat to help its delegates capture synergies between climate risk mitigation, adaptation, and food security. The programme in Rotterdam provides fundamental CSA knowledge and skills for those willing to undergo a transformation both within agricultural value chains and at different policy levels.

Host Country Profile The Netherlands has climate-smart and sustainable farming high on its national agenda. The country has been playing a key role in searching for and developing innovative CSA technologies. The Dutch approach includes intensive cooperation between the private sector, scientific institutes, and the government. For decades, they have been at the forefront of agriculture as innovators, producers, and exporters of knowledge, technology, and food. Innovations in arable farming, livestock farming, and aquaculture cover many subjects. These include smart farming using IoT, Big Data, AI, and robotics. Through tech applications, many enterprises have managed to increase yields, enhance animal welfare, and improve food quality and security, in addition to lowering the overall cost and ecological footprint of the agriculture sector.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Rotterdam, Netherlands, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• Climate change and its implications for the agriculture industry
• How does the agriculture sector contribute to climate change?
• Linking climate change and food security; The effects on different groups of society
• Understanding climate-smart agriculture, its benefits, and objectives
• Case studies highlighting the effects of climate change on different agricultural systems
• Principles of climate-smart agriculture
• Gender Issues in climate-smart Agriculture
• Climate-smart crop management – selection and diversification
• Climate and environmental risk assessment
• Adaptation and mitigation planning
• Sector strategies for energy, water and land
• Project design for climate and environmental goals

It is designed for policymakers, the staff of Agriculture Ministries, development practitioners and others who want practical, current skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

The Growing Importance of Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam

Climate change, environmental pressure and resource management now shape national plans, budgets and investment decisions. Financiers increasingly expect climate and environmental considerations to be built into projects from the start.

Institutions that can plan for climate risks, manage natural resources well and prepare sound proposals are better placed to protect services and to access the funding available for this work.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets
• Design projects that meet climate and environmental goals
• Prepare proposals that financiers can approve
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work with communities and partners across sectors

Strong climate, environment and natural resources systems help organisations:

• Protect services and infrastructure from climate risks
• Access climate and environmental finance
• Meet national and international commitments
• Use natural resources sustainably

This Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Policymakers
• The staff of Agriculture Ministries
• Development practitioners
• Development project/programme planners and managers
• Agriculture sectoral specialists
• Those willing to transform traditional agricultural practices into climate-smart ones
• Climate change and environment officers
• Energy, water and agriculture sector staff
• Planning and policy officers
• Project and programme managers
• Disaster risk management staff
• Local government officials

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training, participants will be able to:

• Appreciate the role of climate-smart agriculture in mitigating the consequences of climate change
• Establish linkages between climate change and food security and comprehend the need for enhancing sustainable production
• Familiarize themselves with climate-smart applications in various agricultural domains
• Integrate climate-smart thinking into agriculture policy planning and promote climate-smart transformation
• Implement participatory approaches while designing the country’s agriculture development plans
• Employ climate-smart thinking when creating sustainable agriculture development project plans
• Explain the main climate and environmental challenges for their sector
• Assess climate and environmental risks to services and assets
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures
• Design projects with clear climate and environmental results

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training Methodology

The programme is centered on practical skills development and knowledge enhancement in selected CSA areas. The presentation, exercises, simulations, case studies, and discussion questions are explicitly tailored to those working on climate-smart applications of agricultural practices. Proven adult-learning methodology and principles guide the entire process intending to maximize the effectiveness of the delivery and create a long-lasting impact. Practical exposure and panel discussions target the development of real-life capabilities essential to driving a broader transition to CSA practices.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Practical tools and templates to take back to work
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group. Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training, participants will be able to:

• Assess climate and environmental risks
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures
• Design projects with clear results
• Prepare stronger funding proposals
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work effectively with communities and partners

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Climate and environmental planning
• Project design
• Access to finance
• Results measurement
• Stakeholder involvement

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Risk assessments
• Concept notes
• Results frameworks
• Monitoring systems
• Partnership arrangements

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply climate, environment and natural resources within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in climate, environment and natural resources increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on climate, environment and natural resources. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to climate, environment and natural resources that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Rotterdam, Netherlands brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how climate, environment and natural resources is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Netherlands

Programmes, Workshops, Exposures, Training Courses in Rotterdam, Netherlands by Risalat Consultants International

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

The programme takes place at Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre.

Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Readiness Assessment
• Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam Training Manual
• Climate Risk Screening Checklist
• Options Appraisal Template
• Concept Note Template
• Results Measurement Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Funding Readiness Checklist
• Monitoring and Reporting Template
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Context and risks), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions design projects that meet climate and environmental goals?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Planning solutions), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions prepare proposals that financiers can approve?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Project design), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions measure and report results credibly?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Finance and proposals), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions work with communities and partners across sectors?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Measurement, reporting and action planning), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Workshop on Climate-smart Agriculture in Rotterdam programme take place?

It runs from 1 Feb 2027 to 5 Feb 2027, in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre). The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for policymakers, the staff of Agriculture Ministries, development practitioners, development project/programme planners and managers, and others who want practical skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in climate, environment and natural resources?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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