Community Based Adaptation
The IFAD adaptive approach to participatory mapping: Design and delivery of participatory mapping projectsSubmitted by c.baldin on Fri, 2013-01-25 20:00
This document reports on an adaptive approach to designing and implementing participatory mapping initiatives within IFAD-supported projects. The adaptive
UNDP/GEF supported CBA Community Based Adaptation Project Pilot Sites: Onamulunga School Garden ProjectSubmitted by andrea on Mon, 2011-09-26 07:09
The Community-Based Adaptation Programme (CBA) is a five-year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global initiative funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). UNDP works with a number of partners including the United Nations Volunteers and the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). Initial CBA investments have been made in 20 communities in the northern parts of Namibia (i.e. Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kavango Regions). Climate models suggest that these areas are particularly vulnerable and face significant climate change risks, both at present and in future. To facilitate uptake of CBA strategies the Onamulunga Combined School project is focused on integrating adaptation to climate change into school curriculum. The pilot programme at Onamulunga Combined School in the Oshikoto region involves training grade 9 and 10students in adaptation farming methods such as conservation tilling, water harvesting, and micro-drip irrigation and planting drought resistant crops. These methods are subsequently taken up by the students’ native communities. This project directly contributes towards Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2 and 7 and, through a special focus on the inclusion of young women and girls, to MDG 3.The project also indirectly contributes to the realization of other MDGs.
There are various Community Based Adaptation projects in Namibia. The particular project discussed here is implemented by an NGO called Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES) that applies CBA measures through self-help groups. At the Onamulunga Combined School in the Oshikoto region, grade 9 and 10 students receive practical lessons in how to implement improved farming methods for a future affected by climate change.
Results and Learning:
According to a recent field visit by an independent assessor, the Onamulunga Garden project has achieved many of the intended results. Various sites at the school have been prepared for crop agriculture using the latest conservation tilling methods for dry land crops and micro-drip irrigation for vegetables. The project coordinator is Agriculture and Life Science teacher, Johannes Nelongo, who has provided inspirational leadership for 87 grade 9 and 10 students to put the theory they learn in the classroom in practice in the field, growing maize, sunflowers, cow peas, spinach, carrots, onions and other vegetables.They apply conservation furrowing and ripping, water saving techniques, mulching, application of organic and chemical fertilising, crop rotation and alternative growing methods. As such, the project provides learners with practical adaptation techniques. “Practical exercises make it easier for learners to interpret theoretical information. It thus gives them wisdom and insight and teaches them how to apply these methods at home,” says Nelongo.[Refer to the attached document for further details.]
The project has built adaptive capacity for almost ninety learners, with the intention that they take these skills forward and apply them in the decades to come. Already a multiplier effect is noticeable in the children and teachers’ home communities. The project focuses on establishing a strong foundation for the application of adaptation mechanisms in farming practices rather than creating dependency through aid. “Because the programme demonstrates tangible benefits for the communities involved, it is sustainable,” says Marie Johansson from CES. “It will continue even if donor support stops tomorrow. It is important to start with educating kids. Young people, especially girls, pick the skills up quickly. From there on it is easier to integrate the community. Later on, many kids will migrate to urban areas and unfortunately fall in the trap of unemployment. But with the skills they learn here, there is an alternative way to make a living off the two hectares or so near their homestead. In this way even small farmers can become commercial farmers.”
The project has been so successful that it has grabbed the attention of other schools. Four nearby schools are interested and have been invited to participate. As such, Onamulunga can become a centre of learning for the community. This is compounded by the multiplier effect already mentioned, with children introducing the new methods to their parents and villagers coming to the school to see the improved cropping system with their own eyes. “As a school we need to involve communities and share the skills and knowledge that we have,” says Onamulunga principal Immanuel Namupolo. “Now the community helps us to look after the project when the school is closed. We also give parents our surplus maize, so they can sell it. In doing so, the project reaches out to parents. We give them a role to play, so that they are involved in the process of adaptation.”The experiment teaches children to adapt to a situation where fertile land and water are becoming increasingly scarce resources. But the initiative also has a wider effect within the surrounding communities, with children applying their newly acquired skills in the household farm setting. Enthused by the Onamulunga success story, parents and teachers have also started their own gardens. “The proceeds from the garden save people a lot of money. Sometimes you don’t even have to go to the market for a whole month,” one teacher remarks.
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:Onamulunga Combined School; Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES). Other stakeholders include: the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Namibia Agronomic Board, GEF through its Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA) programme, UNDP; Small Grants Programme and all its delivery partners.
The Community-Based Adaptation Programme (CBA) is a five-year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global initiative funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). UNDP works with a number of partners including the United Nations Volunteers and the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). Initial CBA investments have been made in 20 communities in the northern parts of Namibia (i.e. Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kavango Regions). Climate models suggest that these areas are particularly vulnerable and face significant climate change risks, both at present and in future.
There are various Community Based Adaptation projects in Namibia. The particular project discussed here is implemented by an NGO called Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES) that applies CBA measures through self-help groups. At the Onamulunga Combined School in the Oshikoto region, grade 9 and 10 students receive practical lessons in how to implement improved farming methods for a future affected by climate change. Through equipping the students with relevant agricultural adaptation skills, the pilot programme is designed to sow the seeds for uptake and wider spread of adaptation measures throughout the community.
- Outcome 1: Enhanced adaptive capacity allows communities to reduce their vulnerability to adverse impacts of future climate hazards.
- Outcome 2: National policies and programmes promote replication of best practices derived from CBA projects.
- Outcome 3: Cooperation among member countries promotes innovation in adaptation to climate change including variability.
Project Status:Under Implementation
Primary Beneficiaries:Major stakeholders are: the Onamulunga Combined School; Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES). Primary beneficiaries are the grade 9 and 10 students, their families and the communities living within the pilot areas, as well as other schools in the wider area.
UNDP/GEF supported CBA Community Based Adaptation Project Pilot Sites: University of Namibia – Ogongo Campus: The Sweet-stem Sorghum ResearchSubmitted by andrea on Mon, 2011-09-26 06:42
The Community-Based Adaptation Programme (CBA) is a five-year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global initiative funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). UNDP works with a number of partners including the United Nations Volunteers and the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). Initial CBA investments have been made in 20 communities in the northern parts of Namibia (i.e. Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kavango Regions). Climate models suggest these areas are particularly vulnerable and face significant climate change risks,both at present and in future. To facilitate uptake of CBA strategies, one project focuses on research into sweet-stem sorghum varieties that are better suited to altered climatic conditions. The purpose is to cultivate one variety that is not only stronger, but also presents the ideal mix of multi-purpose applications, such as food, fodder/silage and sugar extract for ethanol (biofuel). The project pursues multifaceted objectives of food security, environmental sustainability and universal education. These objectives address the three Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 1, 2, and 7. Now entering its final stage, the researchers are focusing on three remaining sorghum varieties. One successful variety will be commercially distributed in the SGP-CBA pilot areas in Namibia.
There are various Community Based Adaptation (CBA) projects in Namibia. The particular project discussed here uses a non-governmental organisation called Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions to implement CBA measures through self-help groups.
Results and Learning:
According to a recent field visit by an independent documenter, the research into sweet-stem sorghum varieties at the Ogongo Campus achieved numerous intended results. On one tenth of a hectare, eight sweet-stem sorghum varieties were grown to select one variety that has the optimal balance of grain, bio-mass and sugar content. The research established that not all varieties were suitable for uptake as multi-purpose crop. Yet, the trial delivered three varieties with a promising combination of grain, biomass and sugar, and also endurance to withstand heavy rain. These three varieties were part of an on-farm trial, specifically focusing on the successful delivery of silage. The farmers involved received training at the University of Namibia (UNAM) on how to farm these varieties. Subsequently, the farmers would produce silage and feed a control group of goats to test results. This trial, however, failed because of this year’s extreme floods. However, the three varieties will be tested further and will form part of new on-farm trials. Ultimately, one crop variety will be selected for distribution within the SGP-CBA and the wider northern area of Namibia, to plant at the household level. This crop will make a simple, but significant contribution towards food security, poverty alleviation and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The different purposes of the crop are: food, fodder for livestock, chicken feed, and silage for the dry season and sugar extract for ethanol/biofuel. Another possible use for the sugar extract is in fruit juices. The project demonstrates a need for training of farmers in processing for these different applications.[Refer to the attached document for full Results and Learning.]
The results will be sustainable once the best variety is selected. First, future trials and subsequent cultivation of such a variety will provide evidence to support the hypothesis that multi-purpose crops can augment household income and sustainability on various levels and strengthen the climate change response, as well as other national development objectives. Once successfully tested, the small-scale farmers will continue to plant or cultivate the best variety.
[Refer to the attached document for further details.]
Replicability is ensured by distributing the seeds of the successful variety across the Northern regions for free, and subsequently at a subsidized price. The research also ties in with an Africa-wide trial including countries like Zambia and Kenya. It could, therefore be replicated in other areas or on other crops. Multi-disciplinary cooperation through ICRISAT, which is kept abreast of developments in Ogongo, will aid this purpose. ICRISAT currently looks at multiplying the seeds of multi-purpose crops so that they do not become hybrid and infertile. Namibia, as an advanced country, has the potential to serve as a replication model. The results of the trial can be shared with countries with similar climatic conditions, which could duplicate the outcomes. Finally increased yields and income could facilitate further cultivation and initiate the long-awaited ‘green revolution’ in Africa. An agreement over REDD Plus could further enhance agro forestry.
The African Drought Risk and Development Network (ADDN) is a region-wide network for advocacy, capacity building and peer learning. It was initiated by the United Nations Development Programme Drylands Development Centre (UNDP-DDC) and UN’s International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) in 2005 with the aim to promote applied discussion and policy dialogue on key issues linking drought risk and development in Africa.
Integrating climate change risks into water and flood management by vulnerable mountainous communities in the Greater Caucasus region of Azerbaijan
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
To reduce vulnerability of the communities of the Greater Caucasus region of Azerbaijan to water stress and hazards by improved water and flood management.
Windhoek, Namibia: As climate change becomes more eminent, it is the vulnerable who are most affected. One of the worst affected areas is Namibia - the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Climate change projections for Namibia forecast increased aridity and variable rainfall.
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:UNHCR
UNHCR and its partners, including the Chad government, are addressing the effects of climate change with programmes aimed at better management of dwindling water resources and at holding back desertification by planting trees in one of the driest and hottest countries on earth.
Senior Information Officer
Phone: +41 22 739 86 57
Mobile: +41 79 200 76 17
Project Status:Under implementation
Adapting national and transboundary water resource management in Swaziland to manage expected climate changeSubmitted by JulianneBG on Wed, 2010-06-23 05:17
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
The goal of the project is to ensure that national and transboundary water resources management is adapted to the expected impact of climate change. The objective of the project is to promote the implementation of national and transboundary integrated water resource management that is sustainable and equitable given expected climate change.
**1.** Promoting informed and inclusive national dialogue around water needs vulnerability to climate change and water allocation in Swaziland among productive and domestic uses.
**2.** Integrating climate risk management into the implementation of national policies and relevant to integrated water resource management.
**3.** Informed negotiations on trans-boundary water resources management.
**1.1** Information on community views on water needs and vulnerabilities to climate change.
**1.2** Information dissemination to raise community awareness regarding climate change impacts and adaptation measures.
**1.3** Policy analysis regarding climate change impacts on water and agriculture sectors.
**1.4** National platform to discuss bottom-up and top-down analysis.
**1.5** National policy dialogues to promote adoption of National Water Policy draft.
**1.6** Knowledge products for policy makers to promote response options in water and agriculture sectors.
**1.7** Partnership between MET Service and policy makers.
**2.1** Guidelines and tools designed to take into account climate change.
**2.2** Investment plans implemented by Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy and Ministry of Agriculture adjusted to take climate change risks into account.
**3.1** Swaziland delegations to trans-boundary water resources management negotiations briefed on implications of climate change.
**3.2** Dissemination of knowledge products on climate change impacts on trans-boundary water resources management and water allocation.
Regional Technical Advisor
+27 12 354 8125
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
Apart from relatively frequent earthquakes, Turkey is vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, increasing water stress in parts of the country, and land degradation. Economic losses from flooding and landslides as a proportion of GDP have historically been among the highest in Turkey compared to other countries in Europe and CIS. Landslides and floods have accounted for 25% and 10%, respectively, of Turkey’s natural disasters over the last 25 years.
This joint program's core objective is to develop national capacities to manage climate change risks. This will be achieved through mainstreaming climate change issues into 1) national development framework, 2) local pilot actions, and 3) the UN country programmatic framework.
In pursuant of the core objective, the joint program will achieve the following outcomes:
**Outcome 1.** Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into the national development framework.
The project will target the key strategic planning frameworks to mainstream climate change adaptation. Turkey’s development plan and rural development strategies will be screened and revised to integrate adaptation needs. The screening process will help the national stakeholders to better understand the current and future climate change risks and their implications for economic, human and social development. The project will also initiate legislative and procedural changes to mainstream climate change risks into development and regional planning. A new and revised legal framework will be developed to introduce clear rules and procedures for a mainstreaming routine. National authorities are in full agreement with these proposals.
**Outcome 2.** Developing institutional capacity for climate risk management.
Under this outcome, the program will work with the relevant national and regional institutions to enhance their in-house knowledge and response capacity to effectively manage climate risks in Turkey. The program will specifically target the Regional Development Agency, which has been established to plan and undertake regional development activities, as well as develop the technical capacity of relevant research, monitoring and observing entities for systematic observations and early warning systems. The data generation will be systematized and harmonized across the responsible agencies for improved response capabilities. By building on the First National Communication preparation to UNFCCC, the program will build on and further enhance current technical knowledge and capacity for policy relevant vulnerability assessment.
**Outcome 3.** Developing capacity for community based adaptation in a pilot river basin.
The program will pilot climate change adaptation approaches by introducing the principles of Community Based Adaptation (CBA) in the context of agricultural practices, water management, food security, climate change related disaster risk management, particularly drought management, coastal development, natural resources management, data and information management. CBA approaches will be established as important elements of vulnerability reduction and disaster management strategies. CBA will build on and further develop local capacities and knowledge, including through better data and information management, to cope with climate risks and variability. CBA options will be instrumental not only in formulating local coping and adaptation strategies, but also in situating them within wider development planning and debates by empowering local communities through their increased participation in local planning and decision making. By applying participatory methods, the program will bring together key stakeholders at the local level (planners and decision makers, developers and investors, local communities and most vulnerable groups) in the framework of public private partnership (PPP) to mobilize commitments and local resources in financing adaptation measures.
**Outcome 4.** Mainstreaming climate risk reduction into the UN programming framework.
Under this outcome, the program will establish the guiding principles as well as develop the technical guidelines for integrating climate change concerns into the “One UN” programming. This will be done by using the UNDAF as the programmatic platform for mainstreaming adaptation within the UN system. This approach will ensure the “climate proofing” of all multi-agency development assistance that is targeted to achieving the MDGs.
Tel: +90 312 454 1192
Fax: +90 312 496 1463
Regional Project Coordinator
Tel: +90 312 454 1086
Fax: +90 312 496 1463
Finance and Administrative Officer
Tel: +90 312 454 1181
Fax: +90 312 496 1463
Tel: +90 312 454 1056
Fax: +90 312 496 1463