HEDA Resource Centre

CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Trains Journalists and Creatives on Climate Advocacy Reporting, Awards Grants for Climate Solutions

As part of its effort to address climate change with innovative and lasting solutions, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), with support from OXFAM under the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) project, has trained 20 journalists, creatives, and climate advocates on the use of data and storytelling to spotlight climate issues and drive positive impact. The four-day Climate Creatives Bootcamp, held in Epe, Lagos, from Tuesday, September 23, to Friday, September 26, 2025, exposed participants to sessions on climate reporting, digital tools, innovative advocacy, and community-centered storytelling. The program was designed to bridge the gap between the lived realities of climate change and the often shallow or sensational narratives found in mainstream reporting and creative content. Guided by experts working at the intersection of climate justice, media, creative arts, and technology, participants explored the science and impacts of climate change, the human rights dimensions of climate justice, and the role of technology in shaping environmental decisions. Modules also examined how data and digital media tools can amplify marginalized voices, counter misinformation, and demand accountability from leaders. HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, said the initiative underscores the vital role of the media and creative sectors in shaping public understanding of climate issues. He noted that storytelling backed by data has the power to not only inform but also mobilize communities and influence policymakers. At the close of the bootcamp, participants were grouped for pitch presentations. The top two groups received grant prizes of ₦1 million and ₦500,000 respectively, to implement their innovative climate solutions focusing on air quality and food security. The bootcamp, which followed an earlier virtual masterclass, is part of HEDA’s broader commitment to promoting climate justice, good governance, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Participates in NiMet Stakeholders’ Forum on Climate Risks

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) joined stakeholders at the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Stakeholders’ Forum held on the 10th and 11th of September 2025 at the Admiralty Conference and Event Centre, Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos. The two-day forum, themed “Early Warnings: Raising Awareness on Climate Risks and Promoting Early Action,” brought together government agencies, civil society groups, private sector actors, and development partners to discuss strategies for building a climate-resilient Nigeria through improved weather and climate information services. HEDA, a long-standing partner of NiMet, was officially invited to the event and represented by Mr. Shobo Mayowa, Project Manager for EJSD, and Mr. Sakariyah Shakiru, Agriculture and Food Security Program Officer. In his keynote address, NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasized that climate observations and data dissemination must go beyond reporting to trigger meaningful action. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in co-creating solutions and ensuring that early warnings are translated into life-saving responses, particularly in vulnerable communities. Prof. Anosike also appealed for consistent investment in sustaining accurate and timely weather forecasts, reaffirming NiMet’s commitment to supporting food security, disaster risk reduction, and climate-smart development despite financial constraints. The forum ended with strengthened commitments from stakeholders to work more closely with NiMet in the dissemination of early warnings. Participants also endorsed deeper partnerships across government, civil society, the private sector, and local communities to build a climate-resilient economy, while supporting NiMet’s cost-recovery initiative for sustainable service delivery. For its part, HEDA Resource Centre reaffirmed its dedication to integrating climate information into its community-based projects and farmer education programs, ensuring that local communities are better informed and prepared to respond to climate risks. Through its participation, HEDA continues to demonstrate leadership in climate advocacy and action, reinforcing its mission to safeguard communities, protect livelihoods, and promote accountability in Nigeria’s climate response.

CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA to Train Media and Communicators on Transforming Climate Narratives into Action

In a bid to close the gap between the lived realities of climate change and the urgent need for more innovative, impactful storytelling that can influence policies and drive climate-smart local action in frontline communities, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has announced a four-day media training program. The initiative is designed to equip journalists, creatives, and digital storytellers with the skills to move climate change narratives beyond abstract headlines and transform them into compelling stories that inspire action and accountability. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, the free capacity-strengthening program, structured as a certificate course, will run from September 16 to 19, 2025. The training will feature leading experts working at the intersection of climate justice, media, gender equality, creative arts, and digital technology. According to Arigbabu, the program underscores the critical role of the media and creative sectors in shaping public understanding of climate issues. He noted that while floods, droughts, and extreme weather events increasingly disrupt communities, environmental stories in the media are often underreported or lack the depth required to galvanize meaningful action. “This initiative therefore seeks to provide participants with the tools to tell compelling, inclusive, and relatable stories that not only inform but also mobilize communities and influence decision-makers,” he said. The training will explore how emerging opportunities in data, technology, and digital platforms can be harnessed to cut through misinformation, amplify marginalized voices, and push for accountability in climate governance. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including the science and impacts of climate change, the role of technology in shaping climate decisions, media framing of environmental issues in Nigeria and Africa, and the human rights dimensions of climate justice. Additional modules will examine the impact of climate shocks on Nigerian communities, the African context of climate justice, storytelling for advocacy, and the use of digital media tools for effective campaigns. The workshop is open to journalists, artists, filmmakers, writers, social media influencers, and other creatives across Nigeria and Africa. Successful participants will receive certificates upon completion. Interested applicants are encouraged to register via the official link: https://bit.ly/climatecreatives. HEDA Resource Centre further disclosed that the virtual masterclass will serve as a prelude to its full immersive residential bootcamp on climate storytelling, scheduled for later in September.

CategoriesClimate change

Community Resilience Training Manual: Empowering Communities Against Climate Challenges

In the face of escalating environmental threats, our Community Resilience Training Manual serves as a beacon, guiding communities toward a proactive stance against flooding, drought, and the pervasive impacts of climate change. This comprehensive guide is meticulously designed to foster knowledge, collaboration, and action, ensuring that communities not only understand the challenges but also possess the tools to mitigate and adapt. Within these pages, communities will discover insights into the intricacies of climate-related challenges, equipping them with the understanding needed to formulate localized strategies. From flood prevention techniques to sustainable water management practices, the manual delves into actionable steps, empowering community leaders and residents. Our approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility and collaborative action. Engaging modules cover everything from early warning systems and emergency preparedness to sustainable agricultural practices that withstand changing climate patterns. By instilling a deep sense of environmental stewardship, we aim to cultivate resilient communities that can weather the storms figuratively and literally. The Community Resilience Training Manual is not merely a document; it is a dynamic resource that evolves with the community’s needs. Interactive workshops, case studies, and real-world examples facilitate a hands-on learning experience, ensuring that every community, regardless of size or location, can adapt the manual to its unique circumstances. In the quest for a sustainable future, this manual stands as a cornerstone, providing communities with the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to be proactive agents of change. Let’s fortify our communities together against the challenges of tomorrow. Click the link below to download here