About the initiative
The Africa Climate and Health Data Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) is an initiative by the Global Partnership and data.org with support from the Wellcome Trust and GIZ to enhance data capacity in climate and health and foster collaboration amongst data professionals, social impact organizations (SIOs), and governmental agencies across Africa. By leveraging data science and analytics, CAN aims to address critical climate, health, and environmental challenges, promoting sustainable development and evidence-based decision-making.
The CAN initiative encompasses several key components, including a 3-month training on data analysis, stewardship, and ethics, the CAN Fellowship, capacity-building workshops, collaborative projects, and strategic partnerships. The program is dedicated to building a robust data ecosystem that empowers communities and drives impactful solutions for sustainable development. The initiative's primary objective is to build data capacity by strengthening the skills and capabilities of data professionals, enabling them to tackle pressing climate, environment, and health challenges. Find out more on YouTube.
One of the ways we are going to get through the climate crisis is with good information. The information that allows every person, every community, every company, every government - to make the right decisions, to predict the future, to understand the past, and to know how to use our resources well in the present.
The CAN training
The training is designed to provide the learners with a comprehensive and practical introduction to data science, covering data collection, analysis, visualization, machine learning, and ethics. The training is delivered through live sessions, recorded lectures, assignments, quizzes, and case studies. The learners are also mentored by experienced data scientists and instructors from our training provider. The training includes diverse learners from various government agencies (ministries, departments, and statistical offices), academia, the private sector, and civil society.
The CAN Data Science Fellowship
The CAN Data Science Fellowship is central to the CAN program, providing data professionals with hands-on experience in tackling real-world challenges. Fellows collaborate with host institutions and mentors on projects to share their data skills, encourage innovative solutions, and build a network of data professionals committed to sustainable development. The Fellowship includes practical project work, media training, and opportunities for fellows to present their work at local, regional, and international events. Find out more here.
The CAN Fellowship is a transformative program that empowers African data professionals to leverage their skills in addressing some of the continent's most pressing challenges. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and capacity building, we are creating a network of change-makers who can drive sustainable development and improve lives through data-driven solutions.
Capacity building workshops
The CAN capacity-building workshops are designed to improve the skills of data practitioners and stakeholders. The workshops focus on developing skills in advanced data analytics, climate and health data applications, and effective communication strategies. The workshops provide technical training, promote best practices, and support ongoing learning among participants.
Collaborations and strategic partnerships
CAN facilitates collaborative projects bringing together data professionals, social impact organizations, and government agencies to address climate and health challenges. These projects promote interdisciplinary collaboration, develop scalable solutions, and demonstrate the impact of data-driven approaches. CAN aims to create synergy that drives advancements in sustainable development through strategic partnerships with academic institutions, NGOs, and private sector organizations. These partnerships strengthen the data ecosystem and amplify impact, contributing to the program's success.
The big picture
The CAN program aims to make significant strides in building data capacity and fostering innovation across Africa. These include the development of predictive models for climate resilience, the creation of data-driven health intervention strategies, leveraging the GEO-LDN toolbox to fight land degradation in Africa, and the successful implementation of collaborative projects with local and regional partners. Additionally, the program will empower a new generation of data professionals by showcasing the transformative power of data in addressing climate, environmental, and health challenges.
Get involved
Support the CAN program and contribute to developing data-driven solutions for sustainable development in Africa. Whether you are a data practitioner, organization, or donor, your involvement can make a significant impact. Reach out to amwagiru@data4sdgs.org and lkwamboka@data4sdgs.org to learn how you could be a part of this initiative. Sign up for our newsletter for updates about the initiative.
Resources
News and Updates
Why youth engagement is key to the future of data and tech
Strengthening data ecosystems in Lusophone Africa: Harnessing the power of data in Cabo Verde
Interview with CAN Fellow Abubakar Isa-Abubakar: Combating land degradation through community resilience
Investing in climate and health data for Africa: A timely necessity
Data science for health and climate in Africa: Meet the CAN Fellows
