ThaiCI and EFD strengthened personnel’s capacity to drive forward the climate project’s implementation

- Through the collaborative efforts of ThaiCI and the Environmental Fund Division (EFD), EFD personnel’s capabilities were enhanced in integrating Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) principles to effectively align climate change projects with global standards and inclusive practices.
- The deepening of understanding regarding IFC Performance Standards and GSI concepts among EFD personnel aims to ensure that climate change projects are free from adverse social or environmental impacts, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable execution.
- This workshop empowered EFD personnel through hands-on exercises, enabling practical application of knowledge and equipping them to address real-world challenges in managing sustainable and inclusive projects, significantly contributing to future success.
On 1 September 2023, The Thai Climate Initiative (ThaiCI) Project, led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in collaboration with the Environmental Fund Division (EFD) under the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), successfully concluded a three-day workshop titled “Implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) in Project Analysis and Management” at the Kensington English Garden Resort Khaoyai, Nakhon Ratchasima, from 30 August to 1 September 2023.
The workshop had two primary objectives: to enhance the capacity building of Environmental Fund personnel and to ensure that ThaiCI project aligns with the planned execution. It brought together 50 participants from the Environmental Fund Division.
The workshop featured an extensive session on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s Performance Standards in the context of climate change project analysis and management. Participants gained valuable insights into the objectives, scope, and significance of each Performance Standard. This knowledge is crucial for integrating environmental and social considerations into project planning and implementation, aligning with global best practices, and ensuring that projects funded by the ThaiCI fund have no adverse environmental or social impacts.

Another crucial aspect of the workshop was the session on Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) in climate change project analysis and management. Participants gained insights into GSI concepts and its linkages to climate change in both global and Thai contexts, examples of existing inequalities in climate mitigation and adaptation sectors, understood the importance of GSI integration, and recognised the crucial role of GSI analysis in project success.
Both sessions actively engaged participants in hands-on activities and collaborative group work, enabling them to apply their newly acquired knowledge to Environmental Fund projects. These practical activities not only deepened participants’ understanding but also equipped them with valuable skills to address real-world challenges in sustainable and inclusive project management, thereby enhancing their ability to contribute to the success of future climate change projects.
The workshop was organised as part of the ThaiCI Project, one of the four components of the Thai-German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility, and Climate Programme (TGC EMC). The ThaiCI Fund serves as a financial mechanism to support climate protection in Thailand. Its primary focus is to provide financial support for climate mitigation and adaptation projects, enhance the operational capacity of the Environmental Fund, and strengthen the capabilities of climate project implementers.
Apirujee Chaturathit
Junior Advisor, ThaiCI
Email:apirujee.chaturathit(at)giz.de