Envisioning Resilience: What we’re learning about creative methods for policy dialogue on adaptation

The NAP Global Network's 'Envisioning Resilience' initiative uses photography and storytelling training to empower underrepresented women to document their lived experiences with climate change. By presenting these visual stories to decision-makers, the project aims to shift policy dialogue from simple consultation to meaningful engagement, highlighting the intersection of gender, social exclusion, and non-climatic vulnerabilities.

• Visual storytelling and photography training enhance both the formal and informal agency of women affected by climate change. Formally, it builds technical skills in photojournalism and climate science; informally, it increases confidence, self-esteem, and aspirations, enabling trainees to represent their communities in policy conversations.
• The use of creative methods in policy dialogues helps transition the participation of affected populations from 'consultation'—which often involves one-off meetings or surveys—to 'engagement,' an ongoing process of dialogue where citizens have more influence over decisions.
• Visual stories effectively shift the mindsets of adaptation decision-makers by grounding theoretical knowledge in lived experiences and triggering emotional responses, which can lead to a better appreciation of community knowledge.
• The initiative found that climate vulnerability is exacerbated by non-climatic factors, such as poor urban infrastructure, crime, violence, and a lack of plumbing, necessitating holistic, multi-sectoral adaptation solutions.
• Social networks, including mutual support groups and communal farming practices, are critical components of adaptive capacity that decision-makers should recognize and invest in through support for local and informal institutions.
• The project demonstrated that engaging a small group of advocates has ripple effects, as trainees engage family, neighbors, and local leaders in participatory learning about climate change and the importance of being heard by decision-makers.

APA

Dazé, A., Constable, A., Kibandi, L. W., & Tomlinson, J. (2023). Envisioning Resilience: What we’re learning about creative methods for policy dialogue on adaptation. NAP Global Network. https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/napgn-en-2023-envisioning-resilience-briefing-note.pdf

Chicago

Dazé, Angie, Ayesha Constable, Lydia Wanjiku Kibandi, and Jhannel Tomlinson. Envisioning Resilience: What we’re learning about creative methods for policy dialogue on adaptation. NAP Global Network, 2023. https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/napgn-en-2023-envisioning-resilience-briefing-note.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dazé |first1=Angie |last2=Constable |first2=Ayesha |last3=Kibandi |first3=Lydia Wanjiku |last4=Tomlinson |first4=Jhannel |title=Envisioning Resilience: What we’re learning about creative methods for policy dialogue on adaptation |publisher=NAP Global Network |date=December 2023 |url=https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/napgn-en-2023-envisioning-resilience-briefing-note.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{daz2023envisioning, author = {Dazé, Angie and Constable, Ayesha and Kibandi, Lydia Wanjiku and Tomlinson, Jhannel}, title = {{Envisioning Resilience: What we’re learning about creative methods for policy dialogue on adaptation}}, institution = {NAP Global Network}, year = {2023}, month = dec, url = {https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/napgn-en-2023-envisioning-resilience-briefing-note.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }