ACCESS4ALL Group

In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) — regions highly vulnerable to drought — the TWENDE project (Towards Ending Drought Emergencies) was implemented to strengthen community resilience to climate change impacts such as prolonged dry spells and livestock losses. This project focused on ecosystem restoration, climate-adapted planning, and resilient land management across multiple counties.

How the Plan Was Designed and Implemented

The TWENDE project was driven by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and involved participatory planning with local communities, county governments, and development partners. It focused on three components:

1. Adapted planning: supporting drought-resilience planning that integrates climate risk into local decisions.

2. Rangeland restoration: rehabilitating degraded landscapes, critical dry-season grazing areas, and water points.

3. Resilient ecosystem management: strengthening community capacity to manage local resources and respond to climate stress.

Local farmers in Abatete Town, Anambra State, Nigeria, experienced recurrent flooding and severe gully erosion that destroyed farmlands, damaged access roads, and threatened agricultural livelihoods. In response, the community developed a community-centered adaptation plan informed by shared experiences of changing rainfall patterns and repeated flood impacts. Through local observations and collective discussions, farmers identified their most vulnerable areas, low-lying farms, sloping terraces, and active gully sites which guided the design of targeted adaptation actions

To address these challenges, farmers adopted Nature Based Solutions (NBSs) and Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) approaches rooted in indigenous knowledge and local values. Measures included planting erosion-resistant trees along gully sites, using sandbags to slow runoff, constructing high ridges and mounds to control floodwater, and stabilizing soils with periwinkle shells, palm kernel shells, and carpet grass.

Implementation relied on collective decision-making and cooperation among farmers, supported by informal leadership and mutual agreements that helped manage land-use…

A strong example of a community-centered adaptation plan is the floating garden (Baira/Dhap) system practiced in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh such as Gopalganj, Pirojpur, Barishal, and Sunamganj. This indigenous practice has also been supported and documented by development partners.

Design and implementation:Floating gardens are designed and managed by local farmers using water hyacinth, bamboo, and other locally available materials to grow vegetables during prolonged flooding. The practice is knowledge-driven, passed down through generations, and in recent years has been strengthened through technical support from organisations like FAO and UNDP.

Community values and needs:The system reflects local values of living with water rather than resisting it. It directly addresses food security, income loss, and livelihood disruption during floods, which are priority concerns for wetland communities.

Vulnerability assessment:The practice responds to clearly identified vulnerabilities: seasonal inundation, crop loss, and limited access to land during floods. It targets households most exposed to flooding, especially…

Char Development and Settlement Project (CDSP) in coastal Bangladesh:

The Plan: Integrated Community-Based Adaptation in the Chars (River Islands) of Coastal Bangladesh

• Location: Vulnerable river islands (chars) in the Noakhali and Chittagong regions, highly exposed to cyclones, storm surges, salinity intrusion, and erosion.

• Key Implementers: Government of Bangladesh (Land Ministry), Government of the Netherlands, NGOs (e.g., BRAC, CARE), and crucially, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) formed by the char dwellers themselves.

• Core Strategies:

  1. Physical Protection: Building and maintaining community-managed earthen embankments (polders) with sluice gates to control tidal flooding and salinity.

A good example of a successful community centered adaptation plan in Malawi is the use of community led flood and drought management initiatives in the Lower Shire Valley, particularly in districts such as Chikwawa and Nsanje. These initiatives were designed through active participation of local communities, traditional leaders, and local councils, ensuring that community values and local knowledge were incorporated.

Communities helped identify major climate challenges such as frequent flooding, droughts, crop failure, and loss of livelihoods, which allowed the plan to directly address their most pressing risks. Vulnerability assessments were conducted at village level, focusing on women, elderly people, and low income households who are most affected by climate shocks.

Conflict resolution mechanisms were strengthened through village committees and traditional leadership structures to manage disputes over land, water, and relief resources. The adaptation measures such as riverbank protection using vegetation, construction of raised homes, small-scale irrigation schemes, and promotion…

L’érosion de la côte d’Aného, ville historique du sud-est du Togo, est devenue une menace croissante exacerbée par le changement climatique. Chaque année, la mer grignote plusieurs mètres de rivage, parfois entre 5 et 30 mètre par an, privant les habitants de terres, de jardins et menaçant les habitations en bord de mer. (Banque Mondiale)

L’élévation du niveau de la mer, conséquence du réchauffement global, intensifie l’impact des vagues sur le littoral, accélérant le recul du trait de côte. (ScienceDirect) De plus, la réduction des apports sédimentaires du fait de barrages en aval, comme celui du Volta au Ghana, diminue la capacité naturelle des plages à se reconstituer. (World Bank)

L’extraction de sable pour la construction et la destruction des dunes aggravent encore ce phénomène naturel transformé en crise environnementale. (Togo Scoop) Les conséquences sociales sont lourdes : des familles se voient contraintes de quitter leurs maisons, des infrastructures sont…

An example of a successful community-centered adaptation plan is the Vuhehli Climate-Smart Agriculture project in South Africa, which established a community-managed garden and nursery, providing training in drip irrigation, agroforestry, and, crucially, constructing a solar food dryer and charcoal cooler. This approach boosted local food security, provided alternative income, and used sustainable, non-electric methods for preservation. 

• Locally Led Initiatives: The project was driven by the community, with training in agroforestry, mulching, and composting (specifically bio-slurry) to improve soil health.

• Water Management Focus: To combat water scarcity, the project installed water storage tanks, reservoirs, and utilized precise irrigation techniques.

• Sustainable Infrastructure: The use of low-cost, off-grid technologies like charcoal coolers allowed for food storage without relying on electricity.

• Capacity Building: The project focused on training local beneficiaries to manage and run the garden, ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Example of a Successful Community‑Centered Adaptation Plan

One strong example of community-centered climate adaptation is the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Community Reforestation Project near Durban, South Africa. This initiative combined ecosystem restoration with community participation to address environmental degradation and build climate resilience.

Project Summary: The project aimed to restore 580 hectares of land around a regional landfill site by planting indigenous trees and rehabilitating degraded ecosystems. It was designed not only to absorb carbon emissions but also to strengthen biodiversity, improve soil and water conditions, and provide livelihood opportunities for residents.

Reflection on Key Criteria:

1. Represents Community Values: The project was developed in consultation with community members and aligned with local desires for a healthier environment and improved livelihoods. Tree planting and ecosystem restoration reflected community interests in preserving natural resources and enhancing quality of life.

2. Addresses Challenges: The initiative directly tackled environmental degradation, soil erosion, and climate impacts…

An effective case of community-based adaptation is the mangrove restoration program in the Sundarbans area of Bangladesh whereby the local people collaborate with NGOs and local governments to minimize the effects of floods and cyclones.

The plan was formulated keeping the local population heavily involved where local knowledge was used to determine vulnerable areas, and appropriate sites where mangrove could be planted. The vulnerability was determined using participatory mapping and livelihood risks, environmental degradation discussions.

The project embodies the community values because it is a restoration of mangrove that is important in fishing, fuelwood availability and natural coastline protection. It deals with such crucial issues as storm surges, erosion and livelihood losses. The first land-use disputes were solved using community meetings and negotiation where all parties agreed on areas to restore.

The program satisfies the community needs through enhancing safety, livelihoods, and local jobs during planting and maintenance. It equally…

A successful example of community-centered adaptation is Bangladesh’s coastal afforestation and livelihood diversification initiatives, where local communities restore mangroves to reduce storm surge impacts while improving income opportunities. The plan was designed through participatory consultations, ensuring that local priorities such as safety, land access, and livelihoods were reflected in project activities.

The project effectively addressed key challenges, including coastal erosion, flooding, and salinity intrusion by combining ecosystem restoration with climate-resilient livelihoods. Vulnerability assessments focused on the most at-risk groups, especially landless households and women, ensuring equitable targeting. Conflict over land use was managed through benefit-sharing arrangements and co-management structures between communities and authorities.

Overall, the initiative met community expectations by improving protection from floods while strengthening economic security. It also enhanced adaptive capacity by building local skills, diversifying income sources, and fostering collective action, making communities better able to anticipate, cope with, and recover from climate shocks.

Last month, we tested a simple circular-economy idea: seed pens (paper pens that can be planted after use).

This wasn’t just a “craft activity” — it was a behaviour-design experiment: Can climate action become simple enough to fit into everyday life?

In 18 days: ✅ 20 teenagers learned the process and produced seed pens

✅ 120+ seed pens were made by youth

✅ 200+ households joined conversations on plastic waste and climate-friendly habits

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…

A strong example of community-centered adaptation is Rwanda’s Green Gicumbi Climate Resilience Project. It was designed through a participatory approach where local residents, leaders, and vulnerable households identified their climate risks. The project focused on terracing, reforestation, climate-smart agriculture, and safer housing. It reflects community values by prioritizing land protection, livelihoods, and family security. It directly addressed soil erosion, crop loss, and landslide risks while assessing vulnerability and prioritizing the most at-risk households. Community participation helped prevent conflicts and ensured fair resource use. The project met community expectations by improving productivity, safety, and income while significantly strengthening the community’s long-term adaptive capacity.

We worked with 5 women and reused 6kg textile waste to create products + climate impact.

Would love your feedback — feel free to drop a comment on the LinkedIn post 😊

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jobayer-bin-hossain_amranotunnetwork-bracyouthplatform-changemakers-activity-7416698024963383296-vr6F?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAECFxr4BkHTjOaMiziguDi6fvt2Xd5bMqac

Example: The Coastal Community Mangrove Restoration in Vietnam

One notable example of a successful community-centered adaptation plan comes from Vietnam’s coastal provinces, where local communities have led efforts to restore and expand mangrove forests as a strategy to reduce the impact of coastal flooding and erosion.

How the Plan Was Designed and Implemented

The adaptation plan emerged from a participatory planning process, where community members, provincial governments, and local NGOs worked together to map vulnerable coastline areas. Villagers contributed traditional ecological knowledge about seasonal patterns and areas most affected by storm surges, while scientists and extension workers provided technical guidance on mangrove species and planting techniques.

Implementation was carried out by community groups, with support for nursery establishment, seedling propagation, and direct labor by local households (including women’s groups and youth associations). Financial support came from mixed sources, including community contributions, government adaptation funds, and NGO grants.

Reflection against Key Criteria

Homa Bay People’s Adaptation Planning Project, KenyaA community-led initiative aimed at improving climate resilience in informal settlements, focusing on water access, sanitation, and infrastructure. Local residents guided priority setting, supported by technical partners.

Key Reflections:

• Represents community values: Priorities reflect residents’ daily needs and concerns.

• Addresses challenges: Targets climate-related issues like water scarcity and poor sanitation.

• Assesses vulnerability: Participatory methods capture local exposures accurately.

• Conflict resolution: Inclusive planning fosters negotiation and consensus.

Overview

In Bangladesh — a country highly vulnerable to riverine and coastal flooding — numerous community-based adaptation programs have been implemented. One widely referenced success is the Flood Management and Community Resilience Program (FMCRP), implemented jointly by local NGOs, community groups, and international partners such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The goal of FMCRP was to strengthen resilience to recurrent flooding through combined structural and non-structural measures at the community level.

How the Plan Was Designed and Implemented

1. Community Engagement and Participatory Assessment

   • Local committees were formed, including women’s groups, youth, and local leaders.

An example is the Floating Gardens (Baira) of Bangladesh’s Haor region. During monsoon floods, farmers build rafts from water hyacinth and crop residue to grow vegetables above submerged fields.

The plan was designed through community dialogue led by local NGOs and implemented using indigenous knowledge and low-cost, local materials. It embraces community values of self-reliance and ecological harmony. It addresses food insecurity caused by prolonged flooding. Vulnerability was assessed via participatory mapping of flood duration and landless households. Conflict was minimized by cooperatively managing raft space. The initiative meets urgent nutritional and income needs, boosting adaptive capacity by providing a reliable, replicable technique that turns a hazard into a resource.

A well-known example of a successful community-centered adaptation plan in India is the cyclone preparedness and disaster resilience program in coastal Odisha, particularly after the devastating 1999 Super Cyclone. Since then, Odisha has developed one of the strongest community-based climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction systems in the country.

Design and Implementation of the Adaptation Plan

The adaptation plan was designed with strong involvement from:

Local communities

Panchayati Raj Institutions

Women’s self-help groups

For Kenya, community resilience adaptation has been successful through

1. Including communities in Budalangi region in development of community resilience plans hinged on science based early warning systems and information disseminated through community radios. Safe zones were identified for community members to move to during flooding incidences and also adoption of livelihood practices in line with resilience to floods

2. Developing harmony of western science and indigenous knowledge for community 'rainmakers' like the Nganyi Community. Here weather stations were placed in traditional shrines and community rainmakers taught on how to read climate instruments as a supplement to their IK

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In Brazil, Indigenous people were initially forced to leave their forests, which led to conflicts. However, the government has implemented solutions by allowing them to remain in their traditional territories while providing basic necessities to prevent forest degradation. Additionally, community-based tourism initiatives have been developed to support their livelihoods without compromising the forest.

The United States’ withdrawal from international climate treaties and organizations weakens global cooperation, undermines collective commitments, and risks slowing progress on climate action. On the other hand, it also damages U.S. credibility, reduces funding for global initiatives, and creates gaps in leadership at a time when coordinated responses are critical as emphasized by SDG #17.

Historically, the U.S. has been a major driver of global climate negotiations. Its exit signals retreat from leadership, leaving space for other powers such as the EU, China among others to shape standards and commitments. The UN climate chief described the move as a “colossal own goal”, noting that this decision actually harms both U.S. economic interests and global cooperation.

The U.S. contributions to climate bodies and funds, such as the Green Climate Fund, have been significant. This withdrawal, therefore, reduces financial support for adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable communities, creating uncertainty for developing…

One notable example of a community-centered adaptation plan in Nigeria is the REBUMMA project, which focused on empowering local communities to predict and respond to flooding through a Community-Based Early Warning System (CBEWS). The initiative installed 20 manual river gauges in nine flood-prone communities and trained around 90 community members to monitor water levels, share alerts, and coordinate with emergency agencies. This approach ensured that early warnings were locally generated, understood, and acted upon, making flood preparedness a bottom-up process rather than a top-down one.

Reflection on the Adaptation Plan

1. Represents community values The plan was designed with direct involvement from community members — including data collection and warning dissemination — which reflects local priorities and ownership of the adaptation process rather than externally imposed solutions.

2. Addresses challenges (Nigeria context) Frequent flooding in Nigeria displaces households, damages crops and infrastructure, and undermines rural livelihoods. By strengthening locally run early warning systems,…

A strong example of a community-centered adaptation plan is the community-led mangrove restoration and livelihood diversification initiative in the Anloga District, coastal Ghana.

The plan was designed through participatory vulnerability assessments, community durbars, and consultations with traditional leaders, women, youth, and fisherfolk. Communities selected restoration sites, agreed on by-laws to protect mangroves, and identified complementary livelihoods. NGOs supported with technical guidance, while implementation was led locally.

The initiative reflects community values of collective responsibility, stewardship of natural resources, and respect for traditional authority, with mangroves viewed as both cultural and livelihood assets.

It directly addresses coastal erosion, flooding, and declining fish stocks. Vulnerability was assessed by considering exposure (shoreline erosion), sensitivity (fishing-dependent livelihoods), and adaptive capacity (income options, early warning access).

Potential conflicts over land use and access were managed through dialogue with chiefs, elders, and user groups and by establishing community rules that balance conservation and livelihoods.

The plan…

One notable community‑centered adaptation initiative is the Floating Schools project in flood‑affected parts of Bangladesh. These are mobile classrooms built on boats or pontoons that provide education and other community services in areas regularly inundated by water.

Reflection on Key Community‑Centered Criteria

Represents Community Values

Yes. The project emerged from local knowledge and priorities — especially the community’s expressed need for uninterrupted access to education despite floods. Locals participated in defining what success looked like, emphasizing schooling, information access, and sustainable livelihoods.

Addresses Real Challenges

Absolutely. Frequent floods routinely forced children out of school by submerging classrooms or making travel unsafe. The floating schools directly removed this barrier, ensuring education continues regardless of water levels.

Water and sanitation is a major challenge in Sierra Leone due to climate sustainability

Wakiso District in Uganda lacks a widely documented example of a fully successful Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) plan specifically focused on climate adaptation, but the Wakiso District Council's 2015 infrastructure development initiative stands out as a strong parallel case of effective community-engaged planning that addressed local infrastructure gaps through participatory processes. Plan Design the plan targeted infrastructure issues like roads amid rapid population growth around Kampala, recognizing the need for community land access and buy-in from the outset. District officials collaborated with CoST Uganda (Construction Sector Transparency Initiative) to incorporate regular "barazas"—community forums—for voicing concerns, ensuring design reflected local knowledge on land use and needs rather than top-down engineering assumptions. Implementation Process implementation began with trust-building barazas, which disclosed project details and gathered resident insights, transforming initial community-government distrust into collaboration. Engineers adjusted plans based on local input, reducing conflicts and enabling land use permissions, with ongoing transparency cutting questions on…

A strong example of a community-centered climate adaptation plan in Pakistan comes from Tharparkar district in Sindh, where communities have implemented rainwater harvesting systems to cope with recurring drought. Local communities, together with NGOs and local government, designed small rainwater ponds and household tanks to store rainfall for drinking and livestock purposes. The adaptation plan emerged directly from community consultations in which residents identified water scarcity as their most urgent climate challenge. Women’s groups, village elders, and youth all participated in selecting sites, managing systems, and establishing maintenance committees, ensuring that the plan reflected local priorities rather than being externally imposed.

The plan strongly represents community values because it builds on traditional practices of water sharing and collective decision-making. It particularly recognizes the role of women, who are primarily responsible for collecting water, and includes them in leadership and management. In terms of addressing challenges, the project reduces long walking…

A strong example of a community centered adaptation plan in Rwanda is the Gishwati Mukura Landscape Restoration Project. The project combines reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement to address climate impacts such as soil erosion, landslides, and water scarcity.

Design and ImplementationThe project involved local communities including farmers, youth groups, and women’s cooperatives. Community members identified key challenges such as degraded hillsides, declining crop yields, and limited water availability and worked with local authorities and NGOs to create solutions. Terracing, agroforestry, and rainwater harvesting were implemented using both technical guidance and traditional farming practices.

Represents Community ValuesThe plan reflects Rwandan values such as communal labor and respect for elders. Villagers participated in deciding where to plant trees and which crops to cultivate, ensuring that solutions fit their customs and priorities.

Addresses ChallengesThe project directly reduces soil erosion, improves agricultural productivity, and increases water availability. Terraces and tree planting prevent landslides,…

It's a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, that's prone to flooding. In fact, the Ogun State Government recently announced plans to redesign the Sango Ota drainage system to mitigate flood risks.

To use Sango Ota as a case study, we could explore the following:

-Flood Risk Assessment: Identify areas most vulnerable to flooding in Sango Ota

- Community Resilience: Examine existing community-led initiatives to cope with flooding

- Adaptation Strategies: Discuss potential solutions, such as improved drainage, flood-proof infrastructure, and early warning systems.

In Machinga District of Malawi, a notable example of a successful community-centered climate adaptation plan is the Climate Proofing Local Development Gains initiative implemented in rural and urban areas of Machinga and Mangochi Districts with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners. This plan was designed and executed collaboratively with local councils, community members, and governmental agencies to reduce the vulnerability of rural households and agricultural systems to climate change impacts, including flooding and drought, by integrating ecological, physical, and policy-oriented adaptation measures into community planning and development processes. The plan represents community values by prioritizing locally relevant interventions such as water harvesting, soil and landscape rehabilitation, and climate-smart agricultural practices that directly reflect the needs and lived experiences of residents facing erratic weather patterns and climate-related crop failures. It also addressed key challenges by improving household food security and water availability year-round, modifying water flow…

In the coastal county of Kilifi, Kenya, climate change is not a distant threat but a daily reality. Communities here face rising sea levels, increased salinity in groundwater, and more frequent droughts that threaten both fishing and farming livelihoods. To address these challenges, local groups have turned to nature-based, community-led adaptation. One of the most successful examples is the Mida Creek Mangrove Restoration Project, where local Conservation Groups lead the effort to protect their coastline and economy.

Reflection on Design and Implementation

The plan is rooted in the deep cultural and economic connection the Mijikenda people have with the ocean. Mangroves are seen as "nurseries" for the fish that feed the community. By choosing mangrove restoration, the plan honors the traditional value of environmental stewardship while securing the community's primary food source. The plan is rooted in the deep cultural and economic connection the Mijikenda people have with the ocean.…

In Uganda's Mbale District on Mount Elgon's slopes, a successful community-centered adaptation plan involves villager-led terracing and early warning systems to combat landslides and floods, reducing soil erosion by 40% since 2020.

This CBA initiative emerged from participatory workshops where Bagisu farmers mapped vulnerable slopes, blending traditional terracing (okuzurra) with modern bamboo channels and SMS alerts, funded minimally through district resilience grants and NFA collaborative forestry.

Reflection on Key Criteria

Represents community values: Deeply rooted—terracing honors ancestral land stewardship tied to cultural spirits, with women leading bamboo planting per Bagisu norms.

Addresses challenges: Targets core risks of heavy rains eroding farms/homes; raised platforms protect 200+ households during monsoons.

Adequately assesses vulnerability: Village committees conducted household surveys identifying 50ha high-risk farmland, prioritizing widows and youth via local vulnerability matrices.

A successful example of community-centered adaptation comes from the Sundarbans region in Bangladesh, where communities face frequent flooding, cyclones, and salinity intrusion. The adaptation plan focused on community-led mangrove restoration to reduce storm impacts, protect livelihoods, and enhance biodiversity.

Design and Implementation

Local residents, village councils, and NGOs co-designed the project, deciding which areas to plant mangroves and which species to prioritize.

Training workshops taught planting techniques and maintenance, ensuring knowledge transfer.

Community monitoring teams were established to track mangrove survival and ecosystem recovery.

Community Values

Community-centred adaptation of Moroccan oases involves empowering local communities to manage and preserve these unique ecosystems. By leveraging traditional knowledge and practices, such as efficient water harvesting and sustainable agriculture, communities can enhance their resilience to climate change. Initiatives like participatory governance, ecotourism, and value-added products (like argan oil or dates) can also boost local livelihoods while preserving biodiversity. This approach ensures that adaptation strategies are context-specific, inclusive, and sustainable, fostering long-term community ownership and environmental stewardship

A strong example of community-centered adaptation comes from Satkhira District in coastal Bangladesh, where communities have implemented community-led embankment management and saline-resilient livelihoods to address recurrent flooding and salinity intrusion.

Community values:The plan was built around local priorities—protecting homesteads, sustaining agriculture, and preserving dignity. Community members, including women’s groups and farmers, actively participated in planning and monitoring embankments and water gates, reflecting strong local ownership.

Addressing challenges & vulnerability:Participatory vulnerability assessments identified key risks such as embankment failure, soil salinity, and livelihood loss. Interventions combined physical measures (embankment repair) with livelihood diversification (salt-tolerant crops, small livestock), directly addressing root causes of vulnerability.

Conflict resolution:Water management committees helped resolve conflicts between upstream and downstream users by establishing shared rules for gate operation, reducing tensions during flood and dry seasons.

Meeting expectations & adaptive capacity:The plan met community expectations by delivering visible protection and income opportunities. Over time, communities reported improved preparedness,…

Example of a Successful Community-Centered Adaptation Plan

Project: Floating Gardens (Baira) and Homestead Gardening in Flood-Prone Areas of BangladeshLocation: Wetland regions of Gopalganj, Barisal, and other flood-prone districtsImplementing Partners: Local NGOs (e.g., Practical Action, BBC Media Action), community-based organizations, and the Bangladesh Department of Agricultural Extension

How the Plan Was Designed and Implemented

This initiative revived and adapted the traditional baira (floating garden) practice, where crops are grown on rafts made of water hyacinth and other organic materials during monsoon floods. The plan was co-developed through:

• Participatory Vulnerability Assessments (PVAs): Communities mapped flooding patterns, identified periods of food shortage, and highlighted the loss of arable land.

• Local Innovation Labs: Farmers, especially women, experimented with raft designs, crop choices (e.g., spinach, okra, turmeric), and integrated homestead gardening on raised beds.

A strong example of a community-centered adaptation plan is presented in my paper “Nexus between heat wave, food security and human health (HFH): Developing a framework for livelihood resilience in Bangladesh.” The framework addresses the growing impacts of heat waves on vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, particularly how extreme heat affects food security, livelihoods, and human health simultaneously.

Representation of Community Values: The HFH framework is grounded in local realities and community experiences. It reflects community values by prioritizing livelihood security, health protection, and food access—issues that rural and urban poor households identify as immediate concerns during heat stress. The framework emphasizes locally appropriate coping strategies, such as adaptive work schedules, crop diversification, and community-based health awareness.

Addressing Key Challenges: The plan directly tackles interconnected challenges—heat stress, reduced agricultural productivity, rising food prices, and health risks—rather than treating them in isolation. This integrated approach aligns with how communities experience climate impacts in…

How the Plan was Designed and Implemented

This community-led initiative responded to severe wetland degradation from overgrazing,deforestation, and climate-induced droughts. The process began with local communities, supported by the NGO MELCA-Ethiopia and the local government, holding participatory mapping and dialogue sessions. They co-designed a restoration plan that included controlled grazing, tree planting, and establishing community bylaws to protect the area. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms were used to build consensus, demonstrating genuine local ownership from the outset.

Reflection Based on the Criteria

Here is how this initiative aligns with the key principles of community-centered adaptation:

· Represents Community Values: The plan integrates the indigenous Gada system and local customs of natural resource management, respecting and utilizing traditional ecological knowledge.

· Addresses Challenges: It directly tackles land degradation, water scarcity, and loss of grazing land—the community's most pressing climate and livelihood threats.

I would like to share an inspiring example of a community-led climate adaptation plan from the Bale Zone in Ethiopia, known as the Bishan Guracha wetland restoration initiative.

How the plan was designed and implemented:

This initiative emerged as a response to the severe degradation of wetlands due to overgrazing,deforestation, and climate-induced droughts. Local communities, supported by the local government and an Ethiopian NGO (MELCA-Ethiopia), began participatory mapping and dialogue sessions. Together, they identified the wetland as crucial for water access, livestock grazing, and biodiversity. They co-designed a restoration plan that included controlled grazing, tree planting around the wetland, and the establishment of community bylaws to protect the area.

Reflection based on the given criteria:

· Represents community values: Yes — the plan respects the indigenous Gada system and local customs of natural resource management, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific approaches.

· Addresses challenges: It directly tackles land degradation,…

Example: Extended Community Climate Change Project – Flood (ECCCP-Flood), Northern Bangladesh

The Extended Community Climate Change Project – Flood (ECCCP-Flood) is a community-based adaptation initiative implemented in several flood-prone districts of northern Bangladesh, including Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Jamalpur. This project was financed through climate funds via the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with implementation support from the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and local partners.

Reflection on Key Criteria

1. Represents Community Values

Yes — the project’s interventions were grounded in local knowledge of flood patterns and livelihood needs. Participants helped define which adaptation measures were most relevant (e.g., raised plinths, resilient water and sanitation options), showing alignment with community priorities rather than external priorities imposed from above.

2. Addresses Challenges

One strong example of a successful community-centered adaptation plan is the Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) process in Nepal, particularly in the Kailali district. The LAPA framework was developed to support climate change adaptation at the grassroots level by engaging local communities in planning and decision-making. Wikipedia

Plan Design and Implementation

This plan was designed collaboratively with community members (over 1,000 participants), local government bodies, and supporting international partners like UNDP and the World Bank. It started by conducting vulnerability and risk assessments with the community—identifying key climate threats like floods and landslides—and then identifying practical, locally appropriate actions. Wikipedia

Communities participated in prioritizing adaptation measures, such as:

• Building river embankments to minimize flood damage.

A good example of community centered adaptation in Pakistan is the flood early warning system in Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This system was developed after severe floods affected the area in 2010. The local community worked with NGOs and the government to install simple river level monitoring stations and mobile alert systems.

The plan reflects community values because local people were involved in deciding where the sensors should be placed and how alerts are shared. It addresses challenges by giving families enough time to move to safer places during floods. The system also considers vulnerability, as it prioritizes households in the most flood-prone areas. Conflicts were resolved by holding community meetings to agree on alert procedures. Overall, the system meets community needs, helps protect lives and crops, and strengthens the adaptive capacity of the community against future floods.

A good example of a community-centered adaptation plan in Lahore, Pakistan is the Lahore Green and Blue Infrastructure Initiative, where local communities, NGOs, and municipal authorities collaborated to restore urban wetlands, plant trees, and improve drainage channels to reduce flooding and heat stress. This plan represents community values by engaging residents in planting and maintenance activities, addresses key challenges like flash floods and urban heat islands, and assesses vulnerability by targeting flood-prone neighborhoods and low-income areas. While formal conflict resolution mechanisms were limited, the initiative encouraged cooperation among community members, local authorities, and NGOs, helping meet community needs for safer and greener neighborhoods. Overall, it enhances adaptive capacity by reducing flood risk, improving local microclimates, and increasing environmental awareness among residents.

A strong example of community-centered adaptation is the use of floating gardens in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh, where local farmers grow vegetables on buoyant beds during flood seasons. This practice is based on traditional knowledge, reflects community values, and directly addresses flooding-related food insecurity while assessing local vulnerability to prolonged inundation. It has been implemented collaboratively with NGOs and communities, helping reduce conflicts over resources, meet local livelihood needs, and enhance adaptive capacity through improved food security and income diversification.

One notable project was implemented under the UNDP-supported Community-Based Adaptation Programme, where rural communities in coastal and flood-prone areas of Bangladesh worked together to design solutions such as raised homestead plinths, flood-resilient crop varieties, and community-managed early warning systems. The plan was community-centered, as local committees identified priorities based on their lived experiences, ensuring it represented community values and cultural practices.

It addressed challenges like recurrent flooding and crop loss by combining traditional knowledge with technical support. Vulnerability was assessed through participatory mapping, where households identified the most at-risk areas and resources. Conflict resolution was demonstrated by engaging diverse groups—farmers, women, and local leaders—in decision-making, reducing tensions over resource allocation.

The plan met community expectations by focusing on practical, low-cost measures that directly improved safety and livelihoods. Most importantly, it contributed to adaptive capacity by building skills, strengthening social networks, and creating ownership of adaptation strategies. As a result, communities became more resilient,…

In the Awash River Basin, communities have developed flood-resilient farming systems to cope with seasonal flooding that damages crops and livelihoods. The project involves building raised planting beds, small embankments, and community-managed irrigation channels, all designed with local farmers’ input.

My reflection:

Represents community values: Incorporates traditional knowledge of flood patterns and crop rotation.

Addresses challenges: Reduces crop loss from floods and improves water management.

Adequately assesses vulnerability: Combines local observations with hydrological data to target the most at-risk areas.

Demonstrates conflict resolution: Farmers collectively decide on water allocation and maintenance responsibilities, reducing disputes.

A strong example of a community‑centered adaptation plan comes from Bangladesh, where nonprofits such as CARE Bangladesh have supported small‑scale, local adaptation measures over many years. These efforts known as Community‑Based Adaptation (CBA) were introduced around the early 2000s to help vulnerable communities cope with floods, salinity, and other climate stresses. CARE’s first project, Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC), ran from 2002–2005, and later CBA work continued in multiple regions to build local resilience.

Below is how this community‑centered approach meets the forum’s key reflection points:

Represents community values

The adaptation actions were chosen from local experience and traditional practices, not imposed from outside. Communities decided which measures would best protect their livelihoods—reflecting their values of self‑reliance, collective action, and use of local knowledge.

Addresses challenges

The measures directly tackled recurring, real threats such as floods, salinity, and crop losses, rather than abstract or distant problems. By focusing on…

Many riverine and flood-prone villages build floating gardens—beds of water hyacinth and soil where vegetables grow during floods. Communities design, plant, and manage them together.

Represents community values: Locally owned, uses traditional knowledge, and fits local diets and customs.

Addresses challenges: Provides food and income when fields are flooded and transport is limited.

Adequately assesses vulnerability: Villagers know flood timing and choose flood-tolerant crops and safe locations.

Demonstrates conflict resolution: Shared rules for nursery spots and harvest times reduce disputes; local leaders mediate when needed.

Meets expectations and needs: Immediate food security, extra income, and low-cost setup meet community priorities.

A strong example of a successful community-centered adaptation plan is the community-led flood resilience initiatives in coastal and riverine areas of Bangladesh, where local communities design and implement low-cost flood adaptation measures such as raised homesteads, improved drainage, flood shelters, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Community values:

The plan reflects community values by prioritizing local knowledge, traditional practices, and collective decision-making. Community members actively participated in identifying flood risks and selecting adaptation measures that align with their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Addressing challenges:

The plan directly addresses recurring flooding, displacement, crop loss, and livelihood disruption. Practical solutions such as raised housing plinths, flood-resistant crops, and community flood shelters respond to the most pressing local challenges.

Vulnerability assessment:

In Sakai, a rural community in Kenya, residents led a climate adaptation initiative to tackle drought and erratic rainfall. The plan focused on sand dam construction, improved agricultural practices, livelihood diversification, and access to weather information.

Evaluation:

Community values: Residents identified priorities, ensuring solutions reflected local needs.

Addresses challenges: Sand dams and resilient farming directly target water scarcity and crop failures.

Vulnerability assessment: Participatory assessments combined local knowledge with climate observations.

Conflict resolution: Shared planning and responsibility minimized disputes over water and resources.

Overview: Communities in the Chikwawa District of southern Malawi frequently face seasonal flooding from the Shire River, which destroys crops, homes, and infrastructure. A community-centered adaptation project focused on introducing flood-resilient farming practices and strengthening local disaster preparedness.

Design and Implementation:

• Participatory Planning: Farmers, local leaders, and women’s groups were engaged in identifying flood-prone areas, crop losses, and priority interventions.

• Resilient Practices Introduced: The project promoted raised bed farming, flood-tolerant crop varieties, and small-scale irrigation systems.

• Capacity Building: Workshops trained farmers on climate-smart agriculture, soil conservation, and early warning responses to floods.

• Conflict Resolution: Coordinated land use and water access among farmers to prevent disputes during the rainy season.

Case Study: Flood-Resilient Housing in Gorakhpur 

This initiative, led by a local community organization (SEEDS India, working with the UNFCCC), addresses the severe impact of monsoon flooding in the vulnerable Mahewa ward of Gorakhpur. 

• Problem Addressed: The Mahewa ward is highly prone to annual flooding, which disproportionately affects poor and marginalized communities who lack resilient infrastructure.

• Community-Centered Approach: The project involved local residents in the design and construction processes, leveraging indigenous knowledge and building new types of flood-resilient, affordable houses.

• Adaptation Measures:

  • Resilient Design: Houses were designed to withstand flood impacts.

To address the increasing impacts of climate change, adaptation must start at the local level—especially in vulnerable regions. However, a common challenge is the lack of hands-on experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining climate-resilient infrastructure.

This is why skill-building and practical training are essential. We need to equip communities, engineers, and local leaders with the knowledge to integrate adaptation into infrastructure projects from flood-resistant drainage and reinforced housing to nature-based solutions like green embankments and urban wetlands.

One notable example of community-based adaptation is the Mangrove Restoration and Livelihood Support Project in the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh. This project was designed to strengthen resilience to coastal flooding and cyclones while supporting local livelihoods.

Design and Implementation:

• Participatory Planning: Local communities, NGOs, and government agencies jointly identified vulnerable areas, prioritizing regions where mangrove loss had increased flood risk and degraded fisheries.

• Community Involvement: Villagers were trained in planting and maintaining mangroves, creating “community nurseries,” and adopting sustainable fishing practices.

• Integration of Local Knowledge: Traditional knowledge about tidal patterns, soil salinity, and fish migration informed site selection and planting techniques.

• Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Village committees mediated disputes over land and resource use, ensuring equitable participation.

Metsimotlhabe Climate-Smart Agriculture Project, Botswana

In Metsimotlhabe, a community-centered project introduced solar-powered irrigation and hydroponics to strengthen climate-resilient vegetable production. The initiative included training for women and youth in climate-smart agriculture, income-generating activities, and technical support from government and NGOs.

Reflection:

Community values: Aligns with local priorities of food security and livelihoods.

Challenges addressed: Reduces vulnerability to water scarcity and rainfall variability.

Vulnerability assessment: Targets key climate risks for the semi-arid region.

Nepal’s LAPA illustrates a true community-centered adaptation process. It was designed by engaging villages in every step – from assessing risks to selecting solutions – so that local values and needs shape the outcome. Key features of the plan include:

• Represents community values:

  The LAPA process explicitly “puts local people – especially women, youth, Indigenous peoples and marginalized groups – at the center of planning". Village meetings and workshops bring together farmers, mothers’ groups, youth clubs, forest users, etc., to talk about how climate is affecting their lives. This bottom-up approach means solutions are based on local knowledge and priorities, and that adaptations (e.g. rainwater tanks, crop changes, land stabilization) reflect community traditions and concerns.

• Addresses challenges:

  The plan targets the exact hazards identified by villagers. For example, communities in Nepal named floods, droughts and landslides as top threats; LAPA specifically “addresses rising floods, droughts, and landslides by funding small,…