Our CABES Capacity Development Programme (CCDP) for professionals enables participants to better engage with and benefit from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The CCDP targets professionals such as focal points, policymakers, advisors, entrepreneurs, and organizations working with Indigenous and local knowledge holders.

In order to sustain training and capacity-building activities beyond the project’s duration, the CCDP includes a “Train the Trainers” component. This component focuses on training experienced lecturers to deliver high-quality, engaging online courses and to become CABES online trainers. The specific goals of the “Train the Trainers” component are to develop online teaching skills for delivering high-quality training on IPBES-related content and beyond, as well as to strengthen entrepreneurial skills to offer online or in-house training to NGOs, governments, research organisations, graduate schools, and others. For example, trainers may use the CABES e-learning portal to help ensure the portal’s sustainability beyond the lifetime of CABES.

Becoming a CABES online trainer offers an opportunity to collaborate with a growing community of scientists, institutions, and networks involved in biodiversity-related fields, and to build new connections around the world. The “Train the Trainers” component of the CCDP is open to everyone, and participation is free of charge. However, interested applicants should be aware that the training itself is unpaid. Therefore, a willingness to engage and invest time in the two-year training programme without financial compensation is a prerequisite for becoming a CABES online trainer.

Steps to become a CABES trainer:

• Participate in the “Train the Trainers” course
• Engage in regular coaching sessions with CABES team members
• Co-teach courses with the CABES team and other trainees
• Teach your own half-day online course
• Participate in a course on fundraising and business plan development
• Submit at least two funding requests (e.g. offers or proposals for in-house training to NGOs, governments, research organisations, graduate schools, etc.)