The Municipal Development Agency (ADM) hosted a workshop on Friday, December 12, 2025, where ten student interns presented their methodological orientation reports. These young researchers, selected as part of the PROGEP II internship program, represent the future of climate resilience research in Senegal. The workshop was chaired by the Secretary General of the ADM, Papa Sambaré Ndiaye.    

Students mobilized to find innovative solutions

The workshop brought together around thirty participants with a common goal: to support eleven young researchers in their research on the resilience of urban areas to climate change. Coming from various universities and research centers in Senegal, these trainees represent a new generation of committed scientists.

Each student, in turn, presented their methodological orientation report to a panel of experts comprised of ADM members, faculty researchers, industry professionals, and the program's steering committee. This crucial step allows for the validation of methodological approaches before the actual commencement of fieldwork.

"These young researchers bring a fresh perspective to complex issues. Their work will directly contribute to informing our strategic decisions regarding stormwater management and urban planning," stressed Pierre Coly, Director of Institutional Capacity Building and Skills Development at ADM, during the opening of the workshop.

A research platform dedicated to urban resilience

The internship program is part of the research and exchange platform on the resilience of urban territories, created by PROGEP II. This innovative initiative brings together universities and research centers in Senegal to produce scientific knowledge that can inform strategic decisions regarding urban management and climate adaptation.

Through a rigorous selection process, eleven Master's and postdoctoral students were chosen to contribute to data production and the development of innovative solutions. Their research covers diverse areas: seasonal rainfall forecasting and monitoring, automatic detection and tracking of storm systems, management and reuse of runoff and groundwater, the use of satellite data for flood control, hydrological restoration and sustainable water resource management, etc.

High-quality presentations

Each student was given dedicated time to present their research question, justify their chosen methodology, and outline the tools they intend to use to collect and analyze data. The topics addressed demonstrated the diversity and richness of the approaches considered for strengthening urban resilience.

The faculty members present praised the students' level of preparation and the relevance of their research questions. The discussions that followed each presentation enriched the methodological approaches and identified potential synergies between the different research projects.

The next steps for the interns

With this methodological validation and the valuable advice received, the ten interns are now beginning the operational phase of their research. In the coming weeks, they will collect data, conduct surveys, establish causal links, and carry out in-depth analyses.

Their work will directly contribute to enriching the knowledge base of PROGEP II and to informing decisions regarding stormwater management, sustainable urban planning and adaptation to climate change in the Dakar region and beyond.

PROGEP II in brief

The Stormwater Management and Climate Change Adaptation Project (PROGEP II) was launched following the severe floods of September 2020 that affected several Senegalese localities, notably the Keur Massar-Jaxaay area. Funded by the International Development Association (US$290 million) and the Nordic Development Fund (€7 million), it aims to sustainably reduce flood risks in the peri-urban areas of Dakar.

The project, for which Adm is the implementing agency, combines investments in drainage infrastructure, integrated urban planning, community engagement and, a major innovation, a research platform mobilizing Senegalese universities to produce scientific knowledge for resilient and sustainable cities.

By placing young researchers at the heart of its capacity-building strategy, PROGEP II demonstrates that the fight against flooding and adaptation to climate change also require investment in training and research.