Community-Centered Adaptation Example: Eswatini’s Malkerns Climate Resilience Initiative
One successful community-centered adaptation initiative in Eswatini is the Malkerns Climate Resilience and Agroecology Pilot, implemented between 2021 and 2024. This project targeted smallholder farmers in the Malkerns Valley, where erratic rainfall, soil erosion, and crop failure had become increasingly severe due to climate change.
Design and Implementation
The plan was co-developed through participatory workshops involving farmers, traditional leaders, extension officers, and youth groups. Local knowledge was integrated with technical expertise from the Ministry of Agriculture and NGOs. The project introduced contour farming, rainwater harvesting, and drought-resilient crop varieties, alongside training in agroecological practices and climate-smart land use.
Reflection on Key Criteria
Represents Community Values: The initiative respected traditional farming knowledge and land stewardship practices. Elders and women’s groups played key roles in shaping priorities, ensuring cultural relevance and ownership.
Addresses Challenges: It directly tackled soil degradation, water scarcity, and crop vulnerability—issues identified by the community as urgent. The introduction of low-cost technologies made solutions accessible.
Adequately Assesses Vulnerability: A baseline vulnerability assessment was conducted using participatory rural appraisal tools. This helped map climate risks, livelihood dependencies, and gendered vulnerabilities.
Demonstrates Conflict Resolution: Land-use disputes were resolved through facilitated dialogues led by local chiefs and project mediators. Shared resource agreements were developed to manage communal water systems.
Meets Community Expectations and Needs: Farmers reported increased yields, reduced erosion, and improved food security. Youth engagement through training and employment opportunities exceeded expectations.
Contributes to Adaptive Capacity: The project strengthened local institutions, improved technical knowledge, and fostered peer-to-peer learning networks. It also influenced district-level planning by demonstrating scalable, community-led adaptation.