Internship Programme Activity Debrief, November 2025

Report Summary:

This report captures the initial phase of the NBD Internship program under the Nile Civil Society for Climate Resilience (NCSCR) Project in November 2025 across selected Nile Basin countries. The first cohort of seven interns drawn from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania, were deployed through their respective National Discourse Forums (NDFs). Activities focused on reinforcing civil society engagement, promoting community-level participation, and documenting locally driven approaches to climate adaptation and water resource management.

Throughout the month, interns engaged in a mix of institutional and field-based activities, including coordination with NDFs, participation in board meetings, stakeholder consultations, and targeted capacity-building sessions. Notable engagements included contributions to governance meetings, collaboration with NBD member organizations, and extensive grassroots community consultations. These efforts were complemented by networking and training opportunities, enabling interns to strengthen partnerships while deepening their understanding of regional climate and water governance dynamics.

Findings from Intern's field studies underscored persistent challenges related to water access, climate variability, and resource constraints, alongside strong evidence of community resilience. A significant proportion of respondents reported inadequate water supply, pointing to critical gaps in availability and quality. Meanwhile, communities across the region demonstrated adaptive capacity through practices such as rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, kitchen gardening, and sustainable land management. Despite operational constraints, the internship programme successfully enhanced coordination among stakeholders, generated valuable grassroots data, and strengthened the visibility and impact of NBD’s work in advancing climate resilience across the Nile Basin.