Between April and August of 2024, START, together with the EPIC-Africa Coordination Team conducted three training sessions on the EPIC model in the cities of Lusaka (Zambia), Mombasa (Kenya), and Banjul (the Gambia). The cities are different in their understanding and advancement of the model, their level of implementation, and upscaling projects related to it. Therefore each training was tailored to suit each city’s capacity needs. Additionally, the agenda of each training was co-produced with local EPIC Teams to make the experience truly participatory. Specifically, the training sought to support each city and troubleshoot existing issues, provide an opportunity to capture stories on the ground of EPIC projects already completed, train new members how to integrate the EPIC model, and it provided a chance for cities and local teams to meet the EPIC-N Africa coordinators in person.
MOMBASA
The city of Mombasa has been championing the use of the EPIC model since 2020, however, this training was able to reach a much wider audience in the city than previous trainings. Twenty-three (23) participants, representing the county government, the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) and from Community-based organizations attended the training which was held from 10 to 11 April 2024. One notable output of the training was the co-identification and ranking of waste management as chief among the issues facing the city. Additionally, the training facilitated the development of mid-term plans by the EPIC partners to upscale the ongoing EPIC work on waste management awareness and sustainability. Also, the presence of community representatives was of great benefit as they came on board to partner with TUM and the local government in combating issues on the ground. The current EPIC project focusing on the use of creative arts in raising awareness on the impacts of climate, waste on health has now developed outputs such as a short film, an art exhibition working with students, the community and TUM in tandem with the local authorities.
LUSAKA
In Lusaka, Zambia a refresher training on the EPIC model was done on Monday, April 15th and Tuesday, April 16th 2024. Since 2017 the city has implemented several projects that include the development of local area plans (LAPs) in informal parts of the city. The community engagement fostered by the EPIC model and approach has caught the attention of the city stakeholders. Through working with students and staff from the University of Zambia, the local government of Lusaka has not only saved money, but has also contributed to strengthening the capacities of hundreds of students to engage with communities around real world problems. These successes have strengthened the relationship between the community, university, and the city. While Lusaka is a city that has taken full advantage of the EPIC model, the goal of this refresher training was to strengthen the knowledge and application of the EPIC model by city officials and university members, and to gain a deeper understanding of issues and needs of Lusaka City. Lusaka intends to expand the EPIC work both at the city, university and community levels by engaging more disciplines, faculty, staff, and students as well as champions in the communities. Despite some of the participants only hearing and learning about the model for the first time, many expressed positive feedback.
One Lusaka City Council member explained, ““The EPIC model has been a great tool for the Lusaka City Council helping the council have a direct channel to the community members. This direct community input has helped the city council understand what resources to allocate to solve complex problems.” (Bwalya Funga, Senior Community Development).
Another participant stated, ““As an academic, implementation of research findings has been difficult, but EPIC helps bridge the gap between academics and implementation leading to greater project success. This model seems like a workable solution to many barriers I have found within research as it is a smooth way to implement new plans and policies with a direct pathway to achieve a goal.” (Lydia, UNZA- Environmental Economist).
BANJUL
The first West African EPIC Training workshop took place in Banjul on 12 and 13 August 2024. Twenty-five (25) representatives from national ministries, and the University of the Gambia were in attendance. Banjul City is one of the newest members of the EPIC Africa Network. The training was therefore tailored to provide more information on the EPIC Network, the regional nodes (Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean) and examples of successful EPIC projects from the continent. Additionally, the training focused on the make-up and implementation of the EPIC capacity-building tool with examples from for-runners such as Durban and Lusaka who led this training. The training effort represented a new form of research for the participants, who recognized the value of transdisciplinary research focused on communities, and were able to suggest mechanisms on how to implement the EPIC Banjul project. Specifically, the participants identified and pointed out the prioritization of three key issues in their city as waste, sea level rise and flooding. These provide entry points to implement the EPIC model in their city. Additionally, the use of existing processes such as the development of Community Areas Plans (CAPs) were identified as providing potential entry points for EPIC students to add value to the process. This resonates well with the EPIC model’s mantra of leveraging existing resources and advancing innovation in and capacity development of students.
