How can environmental and climate change issues be better integrated into reporting under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child?

This question was at the heart of a new Training of Trainers (ToT) under the How to Child Rights (HTCR) series, focusing on the guidance, How to Integrate Environment and Climate Change Issues into the Reporting and Monitoring Cycle for the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The ToT was organised under the leadership of Save the Children with the other five partners under the Sida-funded African Children’s Charter Project (ACCP) consortium, namely African Child Policy Forum, MAEJT, Dullah Omar Institute, IHRDA, PLAN International, in collaboration with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), the East African Child Rights Network (EACRN), the CSO Forum for the ACERWC and Child Rights Connect.

Conducted between late July and mid-August 2026, the six-session pilot programme brought together 30 participants from across Africa, including from Tanzania, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) representatives, Save the Children offices, partner civil society organizations and networks working on child rights and/or environmental issues.

The strong interest in the training was reflected in the more than 100 applications received, highlighting growing demand for practical guidance on integrating children’s environmental and climate rights into ACERWC reporting processes.

From guidance to practice

During the training, participants explored the guidance’s eight key steps for integrating environmental and climate change issues into ACERWC reporting and monitoring, from planning and child participation to data collection, reporting, monitoring, and advocacy.

In the final evaluation, participants highlighted the interactive format and the opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices from across the continent. They also noted that the training strengthened their understanding of the ACERWC reporting process and how to support integration of environmental and climate issues throughout. They also expressed their preparedness to support the rollout of the guidance within their organizations and networks.

Looking ahead

The next step for the ACCP and HTCR teams is to refine the training material and edit the guidance based on feedback received. When funding allows, the plan would be to translate the training material and organize trainings in other languages.

For more information, do not hesitate to get in touch with Laure Abado, Senior thematic advisor – Child rights, climate change and healthy environment, Save the Children Sweden , at laure.abado@rb.se