What we did
The project
Building on the foundational success of the Performance Standards Training Initiative, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) wanted to develop an Environmental and Social Academy (E&S Academy) specifically tailored for municipal officers.
The Academy would provide the specialized training needed by municipal officers to address challenges in implementing complex environmental and social governance frameworks. By providing local officials with the knowledge and tools necessary, they would be able to effectively manage IFC-funded projects and ensure that these initiatives meet both local needs and international standards. This in turn would de-risk projects and improve timelines and delivery.
Enhancing municipal engagement in sustainability
To position E&S Academy, we conducted a current state and landscape assessment to identify specific audiences and their needs; we also spoke directly with potential users, engaging with municipal offers around the world at various points of a project lifecycle. From here, we developed comprehensive audience personas, learning outcomes, and pathways to respond to the challenges IFC was facing with municipal projects.
Accessible learning for municipal officers
We created an implementation roadmap recommending a blend of online modules and interactive workshops, making use of case studies, simulation exercises, and collaborative learning techniques. We prototyped a learner journey to show how learners would not only learn about the standards but can also apply them effectively across different contexts and challenges.
These methods were chosen to resonate well with the municipal officers, catering to their specific learning needs and operational challenges. Recognizing the complex interplay of environmental and social factors in development projects, the Academy’s nuanced content itself would address challenges encountered in diverse global markets.
Empowering municipalities for sustainable outcomes
The E&S Academy has significantly influenced the way environmental and social risks are managed in infrastructure projects: by providing advanced tools and knowledge, it has enabled practitioners to implement better sustainability practices, leading to improved compliance and enhanced developmental outcomes.
As buy-in for the E&S Academy grows, IFC plans to further enhance the Academy by incorporating it into the World Bank Open Learning Portal. Future initiatives will focus on creating more personalized learning experiences and fostering a global network of trained municipal officers who can share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences.
