SUNCASA | Resilient Cities. Natural Solutions.

The SUNCASA (Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa) project is a USD 22 million initiative managed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) to improve climate resilience in urban communities in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa through gender-responsive nature-based solutions (NbS).

• The SUNCASA project is funded with USD 22 million from Global Affairs Canada via the Partnering for the Climate Program. It aims to increase climate resilience for 2.2 million people, specifically those in high-flood-risk areas, and provide direct training and support to over 22,000 individuals.
• SUNCASA focuses on gender equality and social inclusion, aiming for at least 50% of its beneficiaries to be women. The project intends to empower marginalized groups by providing the skills and knowledge necessary for NbS planning, local decision making, and long-term management, guided by the IUCN Global Standard for NbS.
• In Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, the project addresses flash floods, soil erosion, and water scarcity by implementing NbS in urban and rural kebeles. Planned actions include developing river buffer zones, enhancing groundwater recharge, and expanding agroforestry to mitigate heat island effects and improve crop yields.
• In Kigali, Rwanda, SUNCASA targets flooding and landslides caused by steep slopes and rapid urban growth. The project will rehabilitate micro-catchments across the Nyabarongo River in the Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, and Gasabo districts and establish vegetated buffer zones to stabilize gullies.
• In Johannesburg, South Africa, the project addresses water security and flood risks caused by invasive species in river systems, particularly along the Jukskei River. SUNCASA will implement riverbank rehabilitation, remove invasive species, and plant indigenous trees to expand resilient green spaces.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). SUNCASA | Resilient Cities. Natural Solutions. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/suncasa-resilient-cities-natural-solutions.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. SUNCASA | Resilient Cities. Natural Solutions. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/suncasa-resilient-cities-natural-solutions.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=SUNCASA | Resilient Cities. Natural Solutions. |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/suncasa-resilient-cities-natural-solutions.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndsuncasa, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{SUNCASA | Resilient Cities. Natural Solutions.}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/suncasa-resilient-cities-natural-solutions.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }