NCSA:
Five Step Approach
and Outputs
Step
1 Output: Inception Report
During Inception,
the administrative, management and consultative arrangements for
the NCSA are decided and organized, and a Work Plan prepared.
This may involve analytical work to identify linkages of the
NCSA with past and on-going processes, as well as stakeholder
analysis to see which stakeholders should be involved, and a
stakeholder involvement plan, which outlines how best to engage
each group.
Step 2 Output: Stocktaking
Report
The
Stocktaking is a “situation analysis” that provides the baseline
research for the next steps. Its objective is to ensure that the
NCSA builds on other local or national work related to the
conventions and on past capacity development efforts. The
stocktaking involves identifying all national activities and
documents that are relevant to the convention themes as well as
core national environmental priorities. These include any laws,
policies, plans, strategies, programs and project documents that
may be useful in Steps 3 and 4. This step involves also
reviewing past capacity assessments and assessing the strengths
and weaknesses of previous capacity development efforts. The
latter may include capacity-building projects, capacity
components of broader projects, and mainstream programs.
Step
3 Output: Thematic Assessments
The main objective
of the three thematic Assessments is to analyze the country’s
obligations and opportunities from each MEA, and the country’s
performance and achievements to date. The output is a succinct
picture of “where we are now”, including strengths and
constraints in implementing the conventions, as well as priority
capacity needs. Some thematic assessments identify emerging
cross-cutting needs that can be further analyzed in Step 4, and
possible capacity development actions to be investigated for the
Action Plan. However, usually no recommendations are made at
this time, unless immediate improvements are possible.
Step
4 Output: Cross-cutting Analysis
The
objective of the Cross-cutting Analysis is to assess capacity
issues, needs and opportunities that cut across the conventions.
This includes identification of common needs and possible
synergies that could be achieved in the country by addressing
requirements across two or more themes. This analysis may also
identify capacity needs that are common to both national and
global environmental management, and possible synergies between
them. This step results in a list of priority national capacity
needs and opportunities for synergies. It may also identify
possible capacity development actions that can be refined for
the Action Plan.
Step
5 Capacity Action Plan and NCSA Report
The Action Plan
draws on the assessment of priority thematic and cross-cutting
capacity needs, to identify a program of capacity development
actions. The Plan recommends goals, objectives and strategies
for national capacity development. It should identify priority
actions; the time frame; possible funding; responsibilities; and
means of monitoring implementation and evaluation of outcomes
and impacts. The Action Plan may be included in the NCSA Report.
The NCSA Report is
a required output. It summarizes the work done under the NCSA,
documents the process used to produce the outputs, including the
methods, tools and participants, and highlights the major
conclusions and lessons from the NCSA.
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