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One successful CBA in my community is that of Tree planting to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. This initiative was launched by the Local Council to see that Environmental Friendly Trees are planted, the community took it personal after learning about the benefits.

People gathered on days and planted trees along water areas, reaforestation was widely carried out. This led to great reduction in water shortages as these trees where friendly to the environment.

These practices are connected to local transitions in that in the past, tree especially rafia was seen as producer of water which our forefathers usually plant them and sooner water emerged in those areas.

One challenge that has been addressed is water scarcity and reduction of green house gases into the atmosphere as a result of these trees.

In the heart of Baidoa, Somalia, where droughts, erratic rainfall, and land degradation continuously threaten livelihoods, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale has been working with rural and pre-urban villages to strengthen resilience, with the project "Water to Resilience Gains in Somalia 2 Year Program" in collaboration with SomReP and funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Against a backdrop of climate uncertainty and fragile community systems, 11 villages came together to participate in a Community Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) training.

Represents community values

The CAAP equipped local committees with the knowledge and skills to prepare for climate risks. It also brought together diverse community representatives to design tailored solutions.

The plan also developed Early Warning System (EWS) committees that relied on traditional methods such as observing natural indicators (animal behavior, tree flowering, wind direction, and water levels) and drawing on elders’ councils to interpret seasonal patterns,

Addresses challenges

Action…

1. What strategies or tools are most effective for stakeholder identification and mapping?• A useful strategy is stakeholder mapping, which identifies all groups affected by a project and categorizes them based on their influence and interest. The Power–Interest Matrix is commonly used to determine which stakeholders require close engagement and which require periodic communication.• In climate resilience projects in Ghana, involving traditional authorities, community leaders, local government assemblies, NGOs, and local residents early in the planning stage helps ensure that all relevant actors are identified.

2. How can negotiation and communication skills help manage conflicting stakeholder interests?• Effective negotiation and transparent communication help stakeholders understand each other’s concerns and find mutually beneficial solutions.• Techniques such as active listening, clear information sharing, and consensus building can reduce conflict and build trust among stakeholders.• For example, when coastal protection projects affect fishing areas, dialogue between community members, government agencies, and project developers…

SMART Objective

Implement mangrove restoration initiatives in five flood-prone rural villages in northern Bangladesh by June 2027.

Specific: What exactly will you do?

Planting of mangrove trees to restore ecosystem.

Measurable: How will you track progress?

Quarterly follow up and data collection on progress made.

A good example of community-centered adaptation comes from flood-prone areas of Bangladesh through the Extended Community Climate Change Project‑Flood (ECCCP‑Flood). The project supports vulnerable communities by raising homestead land (plinths), installing flood-resilient water and sanitation systems, and promoting climate-resilient farming practices. These actions help households remain safe during floods and protect their livelihoods. The plan was designed with community participation. Local people helped identify solutions such as raising homesteads and improving livestock shelters, which reflect their traditional knowledge and daily needs. Flooding often destroys crops and homes, so the project focused on practical solutions like flood-resilient agriculture and improved sanitation facilities to reduce health and livelihood risks. The project targeted extremely vulnerable rural households in flood-prone districts, especially those dependent on subsistence agriculture and living in riverine areas. Community meetings and participatory decision-making helped ensure fair distribution of resources and reduced tensions among residents over adaptation measures. By raising more than…

SMART Objective

“Construct raised flood protection barriers and provide flood preparedness training for residents in five flood-prone villages in northern Bangladesh by December 2027, aiming to reduce flood damage to homes and crops by 25%, with progress monitored through annual local government reports.”

• Specific: Build flood barriers and train residents.

• Measurable: 5 villages covered and 25% reduction in damage.

• Achievable: Uses community participation and local government support.

• Relevant: Directly addresses the flooding problem.

One climate change-induced impact affecting many rural communities in South Africa is the increase in extreme heat and prolonged heatwaves. In recent years, rural areas have been experiencing higher temperatures and longer periods of hot, dry weather. Climate change has intensified these heat conditions, making summers more severe and difficult for communities that already have limited resources.

Challenges for Rural Communities

Extreme heat presents several challenges for people living in rural areas. Many residents rely on agriculture and outdoor labour for their livelihoods, and excessive heat makes it difficult and sometimes dangerous to work during the day. Farmers may struggle with reduced crop yields because high temperatures and drought conditions affect soil moisture and plant growth.

Heat also affects water availability. In many rural areas, communities depend on boreholes, rivers, or rainwater for daily use. During heatwaves and droughts, these water sources may dry up or become unreliable, forcing people to travel…

Strategy B: Coordinate with Regional/Global Blocs.

Somalia, like the DRC, has rich natural capital (rangelands, mangroves, coastlines, and biodiversity) but limited fiscal resources to manage climate impacts. By coordinating with regional and global blocs, Somalia can strengthen its voice, negotiate collectively, and secure fair access to climate finance.

How the Selected Strategy Addresses Key Principles

1. Equity

• Acting through regional coalitions such as IGAD, the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), or the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group ensures that Somalia’s vulnerable pastoralists, coastal communities, and IDPs are represented within a stronger collective voice.

• Joint platforms can push for equitable climate finance allocation criteria, ensuring Somalia one of the world’s most climate‑vulnerable countries receives support proportionate to its needs, not its political influence.

1. Reframe Negative Statements → Positive Objectives

• Turn each problem into a desired future state.

• Example:

  • Problem: “Reduced fisheries capture” → Objective: “Sustained fisheries capture”

  • Problem: “Habitat degraded” → Objective: “Habitat restored”