Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines the role of locally-led adaptation (LLA) in Senegal, highlighting a disconnect between effective community-driven climate strategies and national policy implementation. While local initiatives in Daga Birame (agriculture), Dionewar (coastal zones), and Widou Thiéngoly (health) align with Senegal's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), they are often ignored by the central government and lack access to the $14.5 billion in funding required for the 2030 NDC goals. The authors argue that integrating endogenous knowledge and devolving climate finance to local communities is essential for sustainable resilience.

This policy brief argues for the integration of locally-led adaptation (LLA) into Nigeria's national climate strategy. While Nigeria has comprehensive national frameworks, they are largely top-down and fail to incorporate the traditional knowledge and agency of local communities. Case studies in Ogun, Lagos, and Anambra states show that local actors are already implementing effective nature-based solutions—such as biogas production, hybrid fish breeding, and contour ploughing—despite severe lacks in funding, technical support, and government inclusion.

This technical brief presents findings from a 2023 longitudinal study assessing five public good climate investments in water infrastructure in Garissa County, Kenya. These investments were implemented between 2015 and 2016 via the County Climate Change Fund (CCCF) mechanism. The study evaluates the technical sustainability and governance of these assets eight years after implementation, highlighting significant challenges regarding funding for maintenance, technical capacity, and institutional engagement.

This technical brief presents the findings of a 2023 longitudinal study assessing nine public good climate investments in water infrastructure in Isiolo County, Kenya. These investments, implemented between 2014 and 2016 via the County Climate Change Fund (CCCF), were evaluated for their functionality and governance nine years after implementation to provide insights into the sustainability of locally-led adaptation (LLA) projects.

This technical brief presents the findings of a 2023 longitudinal study assessing 13 public good climate investments in water infrastructure in Makueni County, Kenya. These investments were originally implemented between 2016 and 2017 via the County Climate Change Fund (CCCF) mechanism. The study evaluated the technical sustainability, governance, and functionality of the sites seven years after implementation to provide insights into locally-led adaptation (LLA) and climate finance flows.

A 2023 study of 23 climate-funded water investments in Wajir County, Kenya, found that boreholes are significantly more resilient and functional than water pans, which are highly susceptible to seasonal droughts and floods. While community-led planning increased ownership and sustainability, the study identified critical gaps in technical maintenance skills, spare part availability, and the integration of climate information during the design phase. The brief recommends improving climate information services, strengthening technical capacity for site committees, and allocating specific funds for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) 2024–2029 Strategy outlines a framework to advance climate resilience by focusing on three transformative opportunities: food systems, finance flows, and community-led action. The strategy aims to shift from fragmented, Global North-led approaches toward locally-led adaptation and systemic collaboration, targeting high-vulnerability regions in the Global South.

This briefing by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) examines the status of climate change adaptation in Ghana, focusing on the opportunities and barriers to locally-led adaptation. Based on case studies across three ecological zones, the analysis highlights that while local communities are actively employing indigenous knowledge and innovative practices to build resilience, they are constrained by limited financial resources, inadequate institutional support, and poor coordination between national and sectoral strategies.

The document analyzes climate adaptation in Senegal, highlighting the alignment of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) with the Senegal Emerging Plan 2035. While the government has prioritized eight vulnerable sectors and local communities have developed effective grassroots adaptation strategies, the country faces significant challenges in evidence-based knowledge, the integration of indigenous practices into policy, and a substantial financing gap of USD 14.5 billion by 2030.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) evaluates Nigeria's climate change adaptation policy landscape and the role of locally-led adaptation. It analyzes the alignment between national frameworks, such as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and the iterative, indigenous practices used by local communities to build resilience. The paper identifies significant gaps in financing, capacity, and stakeholder inclusion while highlighting the potential for scaling community-led Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) has issued a call for concept notes for its 'From Knowledge to Action' program, which provides grants to African organizations to support locally-led, inclusive, and climate-resilient actions by mobilizing indigenous and local knowledge.

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) issued a call for concept notes in 2023 to fund projects led by African organisations that use Indigenous and local knowledge to drive inclusive, locally-led climate-resilient action.

This research paper provides an overview of climate change adaptation in Ghana, analyzing the country's vulnerability, existing policy frameworks, and the significant gaps in climate finance and local-level implementation. It argues for a shift from top-down planning toward locally-led adaptation to better address the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

This report examines barriers to accessing finance for community-led resilience in the global South, drawing on the 'Voices from the Frontline' initiative. It identifies five main barriers—regulatory, market, social, economic, and technological—and highlights four sustainable alternatives: VSLA savings groups, the TWW profit-sharing model, Kiva crowdfunding via field partners (iDE), and Abalimi Bezekhaya's subsidised cost model. The report emphasizes that financial access must be paired with capacity building and mentorship, and suggests that the private sector can play a critical role as guaranteed offtakers and mentors for small-scale entrepreneurs.

This case study describes the work of Nasreen Al-Amin and her non-profit organisation, Surge Africa, in implementing locally-led adaptation projects in Nigeria. It focuses on the Jeji Restoration project in Kano State, which combines landscape restoration with livelihood support for marginalised communities.

This fact sheet outlines the goals and approach of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) for the period 2022–27. CDKN is a global Southern-led network that aims to advance gender-equitable and socially-inclusive climate-resilient development by mobilizing knowledge, capacity, and Southern leadership to support locally-led climate action.

The COP27 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines the outcomes and key messages from the Resilience Hub at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Hub serves as a physical and virtual space to mobilise ambition and investment for climate resilience, acting as the home for the UN-backed Race to Resilience campaign. The report synthesises findings across nine thematic areas and four regional hubs, emphasizing the need for locally-led adaptation, increased and diversified finance, and the integration of arts and culture into resilience strategies.

An open letter from the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) to its partners detailing joint accomplishments in 2021, focusing on scaling resilience innovations, promoting shared learning, and convening diverse voices to influence global policy and investment.

The outcome document of the South Asia Regional Resilience Dialogue outlines strategies to foster climate adaptation and resilience in South Asia, emphasizing the need to reposition local actors as agents of change. It highlights successful community-driven initiatives, identifies systemic barriers such as top-down governance and financial inflexibility, and provides recommendations for inclusive planning and decentralized financing to support the most vulnerable populations.

This case study describes a peer-to-peer exchange between Nepal and Kenya focused on devolved climate finance and locally-led adaptation (LLA). It examines the challenges Nepal faces in accessing climate finance at the municipal level and explores how Kenya's Financing Locally-Led Climate Actions (FLLoCA) model and County Climate Change Funds (CCCF) could provide a blueprint for Nepal to empower local governments and communities in climate resilience efforts.