Role of Development Partners in Adaptation Planning

The author argues that while development partners (DPs) typically act in a consultative rather than direct capacity during national planning, they can significantly enhance adaptation by collaborating with civil society organizations to implement indigenous and low-cost technologies. Using Uganda's National Development Plan (NDP) and the Climate Change Unit (CCU) as examples, the text highlights the need for DPs to shift from viewing climate change as a purely environmental issue to integrating it into broader development portfolios. Key recommendations include investing in institutional strengthening, establishing national early warning systems, and promoting organic agriculture to build resilience for the rural poor.

• Development partners in Uganda do not directly create National Development Plans or sectoral policies but are consulted during their development. They can influence local planning more effectively by collaborating with civil society organizations, which reduces bureaucracy and overhead costs.
• In Uganda, the Climate Change Unit (CCU) within the Ministry of Water and Environment serves as the national coordinating institution for climate response, supported by the Royal Danish Government. Other coordination efforts include the Development Partner Group (DPG) and the UN Joint Action Framework on Climate Change for Uganda, led by the World Food Programme.
• A critical gap in adaptation is the lack of strong institutional frameworks and technical capacity to implement decisions, particularly for reactive adaptation. The author emphasizes that investing in institutional development and national early warning systems is essential for effective response.
• Development partners can support adaptation by capturing and disseminating indigenous technologies and promoting low-cost solutions such as runoff water harvesting, small-scale drip irrigation, and organic agriculture.
• Organic agriculture is identified as a key adaptation technology that increases agro-system resilience, improves food security, and can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through soil carbon sequestration. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is noted as the best-placed partner to champion its implementation in Uganda.

APA

Gwage, P. M. (2010). Role of Development Partners in Adaptation Planning. World Resources Institute. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-3-response-1.pdf

Chicago

Gwage, Philip M. Role of Development Partners in Adaptation Planning. World Resources Institute, 2010. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-3-response-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gwage |first1=Philip M. |title=Role of Development Partners in Adaptation Planning |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=2010 |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-3-response-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gwage2010role, author = {Gwage, Philip M.}, title = {{Role of Development Partners in Adaptation Planning}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2010}, url = {https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-3-response-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }