Alumni Seminar: Climate Adaptation & Resilience – Building Capacity for Climate-Smart Futures (AS2026)

A two-week online alumni seminar for CIPSEM alumni across cohorts to analyze their own climate adaptation challenges using a proven dialogue model and develop practical Post-Training Action Plans.

Seminar period	08 June – 21 June 2026 (2 weeks), plus preparatory phase
Duration	2 weeks, part-time with synchronous and asynchronous elements
Time commitment	~3 hours/day during seminar period; ~2 hours synchronous video conferences on working days (usually starting around 13:00 CEST to accommodate all time zones)
Format	Online
Participants	21 UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN course alumni
Language	English
Application Period	16 February – 24 March 2026

This two-week online alumni seminar, preceded by a preparatory phase, brings together experts and decision-makers to strengthen strategies for climate change adaptation and resilience across diverse socio-ecological contexts. It focuses on participants’ real-world professional challenges and jointly developed solutions, combining inputs on global and local adaptation trends with interactive peer consultation sessions, case studies and moderated reflections.

Motivation

In a rapidly changing climate, adaptation and resilience have become essential to safeguarding vulnerable communities and ecosystems. This reality demands a workforce of environmental professionals who are not only equipped with technical knowledge but also with adaptive, integrative thinking—professionals who can facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration, foster community-driven approaches, and navigate complex socio-ecological systems.

CIPSEM alumni are strategically positioned within ministries, local governments, NGOs, research institutions, and international organizations to drive such transformative actions. However, the rapidly evolving adaptation landscape requires continuous capacity enhancement, peer exchange, and co-creation of innovative approaches.

The Alumni Seminar on Climate Adaptation & Resilience is conceived as a response to this need. The seminar aims to create a collaborative platform where CIPSEM alumni can:

Reflect on their current adaptation efforts in light of emerging global trends.
Learn from German and international adaptation case studies.
Engage in peer-to-peer dialogue to refine their strategies.

A core component of the seminar is collaborative problem-solving and co-creation, using a dialogue model developed in cooperation with the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Global Diplomacy Lab (GDL), and CIPSEM alumni. Participants will engage in peer-to-peer consultations, applying structured methods to analyse and develop solutions for sustainability challenges they face in their professional contexts.

Concept

This seminar is designed to provide a holistic learning experience that empowers alumni in climate adaptation and resilience.

A core element of the seminar is the “Navigating Uncertainty” dialogue model, which was co-developed by CIPSEM, the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Global Diplomacy Lab (GDL), and an initial group of CIPSEM alumni. The model has been applied and refined in several online and on-site alumni activities, where it has proven effective for analysing complex sustainability challenges, structuring peer consultations, and co-creating context-sensitive solutions. In AS2026, it provides a framework for participants to systematically work on their own climate adaptation challenges and to translate seminar insights into practical Post-Training Action Plans.

It combines peer learning with co-creative problem-solving and aims to strengthen connections among CIPSEM alumni from diverse cohorts, fostering new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective solution-building.

Preparatory phase: All selected participants will prepare a short video (2–3 minutes) introducing a climate adaptation challenge from their professional work. Fellow participants will review these videos and vote on the cases to be worked on during the seminar. This ensures the content directly addresses participants’ most pressing real-world challenges.

Key elements of the seminar:

Preparatory phase with video challenge presentations and participant voting on seminar cases.
Application of the “Navigating Uncertainty” dialogue model to analyze participants’ own climate adaptation challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Peer-to-peer consultations to exchange experiences and co-develop strategies for climate adaptation and resilience.
Collaborative learning sessions, including case presentations and impulse talks by alumni.
Guided development of Post-Training Action Plans (PTAPs).

Learning Targets

Upon completion of the seminar, participants will be able to:

Enhance adaptive thinking in complex systems
Gain practical strategies to engage stakeholders as co-creators of solutions.
Utilize collaborative methods for systemic problem-solving and co-creation
Act as catalysts for change within their institutions and networks, championing holistic approaches that integrate science, policy, and community insights.
Use transdisciplinary approaches to address sustainability challenges.

Target groups

This seminar is open to alumni of the UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN course program run by CIPSEM who are actively working on topics related to climate adaptation, sustainability, and resilience. Applicants must reside and work in a DAC-listed country and be 55 years or younger at the time of application. The seminar targets professionals eager to exchange knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and apply seminar insights to real-world challenges.

What to prepare?

As part of your application, please describe a climate adaptation challenge you are currently facing in your professional work. This should be a real-world issue related to climate change adaptation, sustainability, and sustainable development that you would like to explore through structured peer consultations during the seminar. Clearly outline the challenge, why it matters, and how engaging with fellow alumni could help develop potential solutions.

Why participate?

Master the “Navigating Uncertainty” dialogue model and strengthen your skills in co-creation, facilitation, and structured peer consultation.
Obtain new perspectives on your own professional climate challenge through intensive peer consultations, strengthening your role as a change agent.
Opportunities for South–South–North knowledge exchange and sustained networking across CIPSEM cohorts.
Eligibility to apply for Transfer-to-Action Fellowships (€2,000 each) for seminar completers to implement Post-Training Action Plans back home.

How to apply?

Qualified alumni are welcome to apply for this training from 16 February until 24 March 2026 via CIPSEM’s online application portal. The Steering Committee selects 21 participants by April-May 2026. Successful participants will receive a digital Certificate of Participation.

For more information and to apply, please visit https://tud.de/cipsem/upcoming

Before applying, please also take a look at our hints on application, explanations regarding the application portal and answers to frequently asked questions. For information on other courses, please visit https://tud.de/cipsem/upcoming.

► If you have an important question that is not addressed on our website or in the help texts within the application form, please contact us at . Before reaching out, we ask you to check the resources provided thoroughly.