The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) held its Mid-Year Staff Engagement Event from 10 to 14 August 2026, bringing together staff from across its Regional Secretariat and Member State Nodes to review progress, strengthen coordination and plan for the future.
Welcoming participants, SASSCAL Executive Director, Prof. Nelago Indongo, said the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss how SASSCAL can successfully and systematically close the SASSCAL 2.0 Research Programme.
She explained that SASSCAL 2.0 was one of the organisation’s largest research programmes, with about 51 research subprojects implemented through institutions across the SASSCAL Member States.
“Most of the research activities have now been completed. Our focus is no longer on implementation but on consolidation, accountability and programme closure,” she said.
Prof. Indongo stressed that the programme must be closed in a well-organised and transparent manner. She said SASSCAL needs to consolidate all technical and financial information before submitting a comprehensive report to its funders and Member States.
On the technical side, participants discussed the need to document research findings, scientific publications, innovations, technologies, community impact, research infrastructure, data generated and capacity development achieved through the programme.
Financial discussions focused on reviewing funds allocated and spent, assets acquired, remaining balances, supporting financial records and resolving any outstanding matters before the programme is officially closed.
Prof. Indongo emphasised that the process must be structured, with clear responsibilities, timelines and reporting systems.
“We need an orderly, structured and well-coordinated approach. Every step towards closing the programme must be properly documented so that we can clearly demonstrate our progress,” she said.
During the engagement, staff also discussed several strategic matters, including the SASSCAL 2.0 Research Programme Tracker and Book Project, resource mobilisation, the implementation of the SASSCAL 3.0 Strategy, grant call evaluations and reviews, human resources and staff welfare, and governance.
New Regional Secretariat Building Marks Major Milestone
The Mid-Year Staff Engagement also gave staff an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone for the organisation, the acquisition of the SASSCAL Regional Secretariat Building in Windhoek.
Prof. Indongo said owning the building represents a major achievement in the organisation’s growth and development.
“For several years, SASSCAL operated from rented premises. Today, we can proudly say that SASSCAL has a property we can call our own,” she said.
She thanked the Government of the Republic of Namibia for honouring its commitment to support the acquisition of the building, as well as the solidarity shown by SASSCAL Member States.
The Executive Director encouraged staff from across the member states to familiarise themselves with the new facility before it is officially introduced to external stakeholders.
“This is your Regional Secretariat. I hope you see it as a reflection of what we are building together as one SASSCAL,” she said.
Prof. Indongo also encouraged staff to use the gathering to strengthen collaboration by sharing experiences, discussing challenges and identifying ways to improve coordination across the organisation.
She said bringing staff from different Member States together provides a valuable opportunity to build stronger working relationships and reinforce SASSCAL’s shared vision of advancing climate change research and sustainable development across Southern Africa.
The Mid-Year Staff Engagement reaffirmed SASSCAL’s commitment to accountability, collaboration and institutional excellence as the organisation prepares to conclude the SASSCAL 2.0 Research Programme and implement its next strategic phase under SASSCAL 3.0.
