Training on Social and Environmental Standards

From 28–30 July 2026, 35 participants from UNDP Eswatini, the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) IncoMaputo Project Management Unit came together at Sibane Sami Hotel, Ezulwini, for an intensive training on Social and Environmental Standards (SES), Stakeholder Response Mechanisms, Gender Mainstreaming, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH).

The UNDP/GEF-8 INMACOM Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP Eswatini with the execution by the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA). The project supports the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) and its three Member States, Republic of South Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Mozambique, to strengthen basin‑wide planning, data and information systems, climate and disaster risk preparedness, and source‑to‑sea management, so that shared water resources can better sustain livelihoods, ecosystems and economic development across the region.

The training strengthened participants’ capacity to manage social and environmental risks, enhance stakeholder engagement, strengthen grievance redress mechanisms, and promote gender-responsive and inclusive project implementation.

During the programme, the INMACOM GEF-8 Regional Project Coordinator presented the project’s vision of strengthening integrated transboundary management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins, while the Regional Gender and Social Safeguards Expert highlighted key social and environmental risks identified during project preparation and demonstrated their alignment with UNDP Social and Environmental Standards.

A key outcome of the training was the strengthened capacity of the GEF-8 IncoMaputo Project Management Unit and partner institutions to integrate social and environmental safeguards into every stage of project implementation. Also, the training is expected to improve the following:

• Stronger safeguards and risk management
• Improved stakeholder engagement and accountability
• Enhanced gender mainstreaming and PSEAH prevention
• Better integration of safeguards across project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting

These enhanced capacities will help ensure that the GEF-8 IncoMaputo Project delivers sustainable, inclusive and accountable results while safeguarding communities, ecosystems and vulnerable groups across the basin.

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