Co-Design Training Course for Ocean Decade Actions in Africa
Co-Design Africa 2025
Training Course
22 April - 31 October 2025
no location/online event
Organiser(s) & Staff
Participation
By invitation only.
This training course will focus on "co-designing a Decade Action" and aims to enhance the co-design competencies of communities and stakeholders in Africa. By adopting a competency-oriented approach, it can be effectively mapped out where and how to incorporate transferable skills and competencies into the learning modules, such as project management and stakeholder engagement. Throughout the training, participants will critically reflect on theoretical and methodological approaches to co-design, will discuss real examples of co-design from the region, with a focus on addressing the ten most pressing challenges faced by the Ocean as identified for the Ocean Decade (Ryabinin et al. 2019). Participants will also be able to interact with experts and peers from the region, which will share their own co-design experiences and challenges to foster greater engagement and ownership of the learning process and build a long-standing network of practitioners. Participants will also enhance their communication skills when interacting with peers and stakeholders in intercultural settings and strengthen specific capacities under the auspices of the Ocean Decade. By the end of the course, participants will have developed more detailed co-designed Decade Actions proposals that are ready to be implemented and endorsed under the Ocean Decade.
Target audience (invitees)
The participants for this online course are chosen from those who have engaged with Part I - Co-Design of Decade Actions, as outlined in the Call for Decade Actions No. 06/2023. These individuals or groups are required to provide detailed proposals for a Decade Action, demonstrating alignment with regional or national priorities, contribution to the Ocean Decade Challenges, and engagement with multi-disciplinary partners. Their submissions should address the Ocean Decade endorsement criteria and include initial plans for funding or resources. The selected participants, including scientists, project leaders, and other stakeholders involved in co-devoloping capacity development and research initiatives for future Decade Actions, are expected to commit fully to skill-building and mentoring initiatives integral to the design of their Decade Action.
Learning goal(s)
By the end of the course, participants are expected to have developed more detailed co-designed Decade Actions proposals that are ready to be implemented and endorsed under the Ocean Decade.
Learning outcomes
- Understand Co-design Concepts (Understanding)
- Understand the key principles and elements of co-design.
- Explain the significance of co-design in the context of the Ocean Decade.
- Analyze the objectives and strategies outlined in the Ocean Decade's implementation plan (Analyzing)
- Evaluate how co-design principles can be integrated into Ocean Decade activities.
- Apply the learned co-design steps to develop a conceptual Decade Action Project idea (Applying).
- Apply the learned co-design steps to develop a conceptual Decade Action project idea.
- Design a basic framework for implementing co-design in a Decade Action Project.
- Develop Joint Vision and Objectives for Co-design Projects (Creating)
- Create a joint vision statement for a Decade Action Project.
- Formulate specific, measurable objectives and expected outcomes for the project.
- Identify and Map Relevant Stakeholders (Analyzing)
- Identify potential stakeholders in a project using co-design principles.
- Construct a stakeholder map, highlighting their roles and importance in the project.
- Formulate Stakeholder Engagement Strategies (Creating)
- Develop a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan tailored to a project idea.
- Propose strategies for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Design an Equal Partnership Plan (Creating)
- Construct a plan for ensuring equal partnership in a co-design project, incorporating inclusive practices.
- Critique and improve partnership strategies to enhance collaboration efficiency.
- Develop a Sustainability and Impact Monitoring Plan (Creating, Evaluating)
- Develop a sustainable plan for a co-design project, ensuring long-term viability and impact.
- Formulate methods for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the project over time.
Course content
Module 0: Welcome and Inception Workshop
Module 1: Introduction to Co-Design and the Ocean Decade
Module 2: Joint vision and impact pathway: develop joint goals for your Decade Action
Module 3: Stakeholder engagement and equal partnership: clarify whom to involve in your Decade Action
Module 4: Jointly conducting research project: project management and communication
Module 5: Sustainability: how to evaluate your co-designed project and make it last longer
Module 6: Participants’ presentations and course evaluation
Instructors
- Rebecca Lahl, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT)
- Dr. Julian Lilkendey, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT)
Pre-requisites
IOC-UNESCO Co-design for the Ocean Decade is strongly recommended (optional).
Assessment
This training includes tutoring and group activities, to be evaluated through participation and performance. A Certificate will be awarded for completion of the course for those who successfully complete the course assignments, attend 60% of the synchronous sessions during the modules, and submit an enhanced proposal in the next call for Decade Actions.
Duration
Estimated time required to complete the course is 30 hours, starting from 22 April until 31 October 2025. Timetable will be discussed and decided together with the participants. (Note that time spent on extra group activities is not included).
Minimum technology requirements
- Computer with Windows or Mac OS
- Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browsers
- JavaScript and cookies enabled
- Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 0.5 Mbps (Receive and Send)
- Speakers or headphones, Microphone
Computer skills required
You should be proficient in the following:
- basic computer skills
- finding resources through search engines
- the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)
Certificate
This training includes tutoring and group activities, to be evaluated through participation and performance. In order to successfully complete the course and be awarded a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:
- Complete the course assignments;
- Attend 60% of the synchronous sessions (Modules); and
- Submit an enhanced proposal in the next call for Decade Actions.
Note: filling in the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.
Costs: This course has no tuition fees
Contact
OTGA secretariat:ioc.training@unesco.org
Cancellation policy
In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.
[View an annotated printable version of this agenda]
There are 3 participants associated with Co-Design Training Course for Ocean Decade Actions in Africa , 3 of whom are provisional .
Participant Stats:
Total Invited: 3
Confirmed: 0
Not confirmed: 3
Unapproved: 0
Not-participating: 0
Rejected: 0
Label(s): OceanTeacher Global Academy Training course
Created at 08:49 on 18 Apr 2025 by Ana Carolina Mazzuco
Last Updated at 14:16 on 26 May 2025 by Ana Carolina Mazzuco