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The report examines how gender relations influence vulnerability to climate risks in urban Kisumu, Kenya. Using the People’s Plans into Practice (PPP) project (2008–2013) as a case study, it finds that while gender-sensitive programming—such as participatory design of water and sanitation facilities—can improve outcomes and empower women, deep-seated cultural biases and structural barriers like male-dominated land ownership persist. The study argues that for climate compatible development to be effective, it must move beyond 'gender-blind' or 'gender-aware' approaches toward 'gender-transformative' strategies that address the root causes of vulnerability and are supported by coordinated county-level policies.

The report examines why young South Africans (18-24) engage with or withdraw from the democratic process, highlighting a significant gap in voter registration between 18-19 year olds (33%) and 20-29 year olds (64%). It argues that youth disengagement is not driven by apathy, but by frustration over socio-economic challenges, corruption, and a lack of trust in government responsiveness. While many view voting as important, a growing segment feels alienated from formal politics, leading to a decline in loyalty to the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and a shift toward alternative parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or non-electoral forms of protest.

The report examines community-based adaptation (CBA) in Vanuatu, specifically on the islands of Futuna, Motalava, and Vanua Lava. It argues that vulnerability is multidimensional and influenced by local power dynamics and cross-scale structural issues, such as global copra prices and national land laws. The author suggests that for CBA to be effective, NGOs must move beyond short-term technical fixes to support 'adaptive capacity' through equitable decision-making and rights-based approaches that empower marginalised groups, including women and people with disabilities.

The report examines the 'customer journey' of households in Kiambu County, Kenya, adopting Philips advanced cookstoves distributed via the Visionary Empowerment Programme (VEP). It identifies that while trust in local microfinance partners drives initial sign-ups, actual adoption is hindered by a lack of user-centric value propositions, poor fuel supply chains for pellets, and a 'start-up phase' where users struggle with new routines. The study concludes that users often 'stack' stoves, using the advanced model only for specific tasks, and that a holistic approach considering the end-user's definition of 'improved' is essential for achieving health and climate goals.

The document outlines a research process to create trial narratives and framing language for a global multifaith climate campaign. This was achieved by analyzing interfaith statements, interviewing experts, and conducting narrative workshops and online surveys across Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim communities.

The study identifies that while Kibera households are acutely aware of the health risks associated with charcoal and kerosene, several behavioural and structural barriers prevent the adoption of cleaner alternatives. Key findings highlight a lack of awareness regarding high-efficiency stoves, price misperceptions due to daily fuel purchasing habits, and the significant role of aspirational thinking and personality traits like risk-taking in technology uptake. The researchers also demonstrate that 'cultural probes' (disposable cameras) are effective tools for eliciting sensitive socio-cultural data in slum environments.

The document examines the role of diaspora populations in international development, highlighting that their financial contributions often exceed official development assistance. It analyzes the challenges of integrating diaspora-led initiatives into the formal Norwegian aid system (Norad), the value of 'diasprenuer' (diaspora entrepreneurship), and the importance of recognizing transnational bonds as a resource rather than a barrier to integration.

The report identifies that while the Swedish transmission grid operator, Svenska Kraftnät, is a primary driver for grid development, most drivers are indirect, such as EU climate policy and the need to integrate wind power. Key barriers include a complex and ambiguous concession process, local resistance based on land-use and health concerns, and passive government governance. The study finds that current planned projects generally align with the geographic needs identified by the NORSTRAT project, though there are discrepancies in wind power production assumptions between the TSO and industry estimates.

The research identifies a 'procedural vulnerability' in climate change studies where Indigenous perceptions of environmental change, rooted in 'Dreaming', are marginalised by Western scientific discourses of risk. The author argues that adaptation efforts in remote Indigenous Australian communities risk failure if they ignore cosmologically embedded risks, assume universal vulnerability based on ecosystem reliance, or fail to recognise colonisation as an ongoing disaster. Such failures may lead to policies that move people away from colonial-defined risks but into risks defined by the Indigenous communities themselves.

The research examines the 'legal mobilization' of displaced women's grassroots organizations (OMDs) in Colombia. It argues that in violent contexts, legal mobilization is hindered by 'unstable frames' (constant changes in laws), 'disappearing resources' (loss of assets and state capture by armed groups), and 'dangerous political opportunities' (risks of assassination and threats for social leaders). The study highlights that for these women, the pursuit of human rights is inextricably linked to the need for poverty alleviation and a 'dignified life.' It specifically analyzes the transition from the humanitarian framework of Law 387 of 1997 to the transitional justice framework of the 2011 Victims Law, noting that while the latter offers monetary reparations, it may overlook the systemic need for socio-economic stabilization.

The author argues that interpreters in qualitative research are not mere linguistic translators but active mediators who influence data through their social positioning and cultural knowledge. Using fieldwork from Bosnia-Herzegovina, the paper highlights how the 'hybrid parole' created by interpreters can provide deep insights into trauma and power dynamics, while also warning of the ethical and psychological toll on interpreters who translate traumatic experiences. The author advocates for a more nuanced approach to interpreter selection, training, and debriefing to enhance the validity and ethics of cross-cultural research.

The paper analyzes how the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) in St. Lucia utilizes institutional adaptive capacity—specifically analytic deliberation, institutional variety, nesting, and networks—to achieve 'governance fit' in the face of environmental change. It finds that while the SMMA has evolved from top-down to participatory governance and demonstrates flexibility in rule application, challenges remain in including new stakeholders and addressing the distributional effects of conservation measures.

The research investigates the risk of 'vulnerability redistribution,' where adaptation measures in one location inadvertently increase vulnerability elsewhere. The authors develop a framework based on the 'sustainable livelihoods' approach, focusing on five asset types (natural, physical, social, financial, and human) to identify 'risk transfer pathways.' Applying this to Colombia's coffee sector, the study identifies three primary pathways for indirect effects: global economic competition affecting price premiums, donor-funded projects diverting national institutional resources, and infrastructure improvements reducing demand for manual labour.

The report finds that while South African institutional investors increasingly recognize the relevance of ESG factors, integration remains slow and inconsistent. Many investors rely on narrow proxies for climate risk, such as carbon taxes, while largely ignoring physical risks and water scarcity. The study highlights a systemic lack of demand from asset owners and a prevalence of short-termism in performance evaluation, which hinders the transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite these barriers, a majority of respondents acknowledge that portfolios are heavily exposed to climate-vulnerable sectors, particularly through state-owned enterprises like Eskom and Transnet, leading to the conclusion that many assets may be mispriced.

The report examines the allocation of RDP houses to racially diverse groups in Lehae and Chief Mogale, Gauteng. It finds that while the housing allocation process is often perceived as opaque and corrupt, leading to initial hostility toward white and Indian beneficiaries, shared experiences of poverty and a common desire for secure tenure have fostered a degree of social integration. The study concludes that spatial desegregation in these settlements has been accompanied by social change, although racial identities remain salient.

The study uses a qualitative generative research methodology in four villages of Haryana State to understand why traditional biomass stoves (chulhas) persist despite health and environmental risks. Findings reveal that users value the ability to regulate heat by combining fuelwood and cow dung, the specific taste of food cooked with biomass, and the low cost of self-made clay stoves. While users desire reduced smoke and fuel savings, advanced stoves approved by the National Biomass Cookstove Initiative (NBCI) often fail to meet practical needs, such as the ability to bake roti or use dung. The authors argue that technical efficiency standards must be balanced with real-world usability to ensure the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies.

The research challenges the assumption that absolute poverty and school fees are the primary causes of school drop-out in South Africa. While enrolment is high, completion rates remain low. The authors argue that 'relative poverty'—the subjective experience of inequality and social exclusion within the school environment—creates psychological barriers and disincentives for poor learners to remain in school, particularly in socio-economically mixed settings.

The report examines a sample of nine climate risk screening and assessment tools used by bilateral/multilateral donors and international NGOs. It categorizes adaptation tools into process guidance, data provision, and knowledge-sharing types, noting a dichotomy between top-down, impacts-driven donor approaches and bottom-up, vulnerability-driven NGO approaches. Key findings highlight a 'usage gap' where practitioners prefer synthesis documents over complex data tools, and a difficulty in moving from risk assessment to concrete adaptation action. The authors recommend continued training, better integration between data and process tools, and the development of a common risk management framework and terminology to reduce duplication and confusion in the development community.

The report examines the role of the Somali diaspora in Norway in supporting political actors and peace processes in Somalia. It finds that while ideological support exists for national actors like the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), the most impactful financial contributions occur at the sub-clan level to fund either conflict or reconciliation. The authors recommend that the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs adopt a more proactive approach to diaspora engagement and support decentralized peacebuilding initiatives.

The report analyzes the feminization of migration in the SADC region, noting that women represent approximately 47% of migrants. It highlights a significant reliance on informal remittance channels due to high costs and restrictive access to formal banking. While remittances are critical for meeting basic needs like food, health, and education, there is little evidence of their use for productive economic investment. The document also examines the intersection of migration with HIV/AIDS and the challenges posed by gender-blind national and regional policies.