Climate Change Adaptation Archives - Page 2 of 9

The INCREASE Project has committed to holding four (4) learning exchanges engaging local implementing partners and partner communities across provinces to share DRR CCA / IRM good practices, ideas for sustainability and upscaling, innovations, and evidence from which these are based.

Similarly, the project has also committed to producing four (4) research briefs/communication materials, or case stories, from DRR CCA / IRM good practices and innovations documented to be published through RILHUB.

This partner-level learning exchange is the second part of the INCREASE Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building Session 2. The learning questions raised to partners are the following:

What risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures have the FHH/farmers adopted during the project period?
What are the indigenous and modern farming practices that you have adopted throughout the years, and which among these do you plan to continue?
How does livelihood diversification help individuals and communities reduce risks and reduce negative coping mechanisms?
What factors drive women and men farmers’ and fishers’ adoption of climate-informed practice, and resilient livelihood strategies?
What encourages incentivises them to be flexible to change, and become more open to becoming part of forward-looking assessments?

To access a soft copy of this presentation deck, please click here.

INCREASE or “Philippines – Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards” aims to aims to increase the resilience of 45,00 women and men small scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effect of climate change. The project will run from 2019-2021 in different parts of the Philippines, namely 36 barangays across 8 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Mt. Province, Northern Samar, and Surigao del Sur. Its project components and activities include early warning systems, alternative livelihood, and climate and disaster governance.

Last July 28, the MOVE UP 4 Project Consortium (formed among Plan International, Action Against Hunger, CARE Philippines, and ACCORD Inc. ) and the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) Local Government Academy (LGA) officially agreed on the formal partnership for collaborations to enhance climate change adaptation efforts and disaster risk reduction and management.

The cooperation between the capacity and development arm of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and MOVE UP includes the review of various L!STO Operations Manual and the implementation of capacity building and development efforts for local chief executives and other relevant stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) activities.

The primary signatories for the agreement were Suresanathan Murugesu represented by Juan Blenn Huelgas of Action Against Hunger (AAH), Ana Maria Locsin represented by Chrisnobel Cruz of Plan International, David Gazashvili of CARE International, Sindhy Obias of Assistance and Cooperation for Resilience and Development Inc. (ACCORD), and Executive Director Thelma Vecina of the LGA.

During the event, participants also shared their thoughts on the partnership stating that they are looking forward to it as they see it as a venue for learning, increased engagement, collaboration, uninterrupted service delivery, and knowledge- and resource-sharing among key actors in development and governance.

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You may watch the recorded Facebook Livestream of this event here.

You may also read the full story from the DILG LGA

Learn more about the MOVE UP Project here.

The Natural Farming System Guidebook promotes reducing dependence on off-form inputs to women and men farmers in INCREASE areas. It offers practical guide to make bio-organic inputs that have much potential in terms of food production and environmental conservation. Moreover, food security is increased and additional incomes are generated.

An excerpt from the material:

Ang patuloy na tumataas na gastos ng hindi organikong pataba ay hindi mapipigil sa mga darating na taon ng produksyon. Tinitingnan ang pananaw na ito na ang magsasaka ay kailangang maghanap ng isang alternatibong hakbang upang mapanatili ang kanyang pagsasaka na may kakayahang kumita.

Ang likas na pagsasaka (natural farming) ay mas mura, mas epektibo, at mas ligtas. Wala ng hihigit pang ligaya sa pamilya na ang pagkaing pinagsasaluhan ay tunay na makapagbibigay lakas at nakakapagpahaba ng buhay. Isang alternatibong pamamaraan sa pagsasaka na makakabawas sa gastusin ng magsasaka. Isang alternatibong paraan na epektibo at maka “kalikasan”. Higit sa lahat, isang alternatibong pamaraan na walang maidudulot na kapahamakan sa kalusugan at sa kapaligiran.

INCREASE or “Philippines – Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards” aims to increase the resilience of 45,00 women and men small scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effect of climate change. The project will run from 2019-2021 in different parts of the Philippines, namely 36 barangays across 8 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Mt. Province, Northern Samar, and Surigao del Sur. Its project components and activities include early warning systems, alternative livelihood, and climate and disaster governance

In the time of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of the resilience- and capacity-building efforts of different organizations and programs have been hampered by existing and constantly changing logistical restrictions and health protocols such as travel and face-to-face meeting prohibitions.

In lieu of earthquake drills, in what other ways can we simulate unprecedented risks in our community? In what ways can we continue incapacitating our local governments, our leaders, and our community members to be able to efficiently and aptly respond to emerging risks and disasters?

Tabletop exercises are one way that CARE and ACCORD projects have been training their stakeholders. To learn more about how to conduct this exercise remotely as an adaptive measure to the pandemic, you may check out the Remote Mock Tabletop Exercises brief introduction below.

To access a soft copy of the said material, please click this link.

Gender equality and social inclusion are cross-cutting themes that are central to CARE’s emergency and development programming. In this IEC material, CARE’s Gender Equality Framework and Theory of Change were reintroduced in this IEC material to inform community members of these concepts, and along with INCREASE interventions, modify behaviors and change social conditions.

INCREASE recognizes the key role that local communities play in preparing for disastrous events. Hence, it conducts community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) training sessions to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen people’s capacity to cope with hazards. As a supplementary material, this tarpaulin was created to remind local communities of the features of CBDRM.

INCREASE conducts contingency planning workshops along with local actors and vulnerable sectors to enable timely, effective, and appropriate response in the event of a disaster. The characteristics of a good contingency plan were summarized in this IEC material so community members and leaders can recall the concepts and apply them accordingly.

With resilient livelihood as one of the core activities of INCREASE, promoting sustainable agriculture principles to women and men farmers in the project areas help in ensuring livelihood diversification and strengthening strategies are being implemented. This tarpaulin will be placed in strategic areas especially in demo farms to familiarize community members with elements of sustainable agriculture.

Similar to how spectacles may help one see a picture clearer and in more detail, using a gender lens in our planning and programming to ensure that we are able to consider all perspectives in a situation. A gender lens allows us to permeate the systems in which we operate so that gender is never forgotten.

As we continue to feel our way through living amidst the pandemic that has set us back decades economically, not to mention having pushed the medical and technological fields to new limits, we need to take a moment to view our next steps and actions in a way that considers the gender-specific risks and experiences that should inform and shape all of our interventions. Arguably the most pressing issue of our generation, climate change does not wait, slow down, or stop for anyone, especially for us humans who have been the greatest exploiters of our environment and natural resources.

The 15th International Conference in Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change, or simply CBA15, brings together practitioners, grassroots representatives, local and national government planners, policymakers, and donors working at all levels and scales to discuss how we can drive ambition for a climate-resilient future.

It aims to provide an innovative, interactive space for the global CBA community of practice to come together to promote effective, locally-led climate action. The conference videos and presentations shared by both experts and community members also provide a valuable learning resource for practitioners and policymakers during and after the event to continue the conversation on adaptation and climate change.

Held from June 14-18, 2021, CBA15 includes 2 “cross-cutting” themes – Gender and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). These themes were introduced to draw attention to two essential topics – equally relevant across organizations and disciplines within adaptation – that have not typically been given enough attention in previous conferences.

Gender here focuses on the differences in the way climate change affects men and women, and the power structures and socially constructed norms that affect the way men and women are able to shape, access, or derive benefits from adaptation solutions. It is more than simply focussing on women’s perceived climate vulnerabilities and participation in CBA. Gender may also incorporate discussions of “intersectionality”, the way in which the social identities of different people intersect to create a particular type of experience of marginalization or vulnerability to risks. Discussions on gender should recognize the way in which gender identities maintain the drivers of vulnerability and the importance to change power relations and norms to ensure climate resilience for all.

MEL focuses on the need to track the outcomes of projects, learn from successes and failures, and incorporate that learning into the way the adaptation community carries out its work. MEL has been typically undervalued and underfunded among the adaptation community, and taking MEL seriously requires practitioners to think carefully about how they prioritise the implementation of projects and programmes. Any thematic discussion could engage with the particular challenges raised by ensuring that outcomes and recommendations are monitored and assessed appropriately.

By creating “cross-cutting” themes, the objective is for gender and MEL to be integrated across the different sessions at CBA, including thematic workshops, peer-to-peer training and the marketplace. We also aim to demonstrate that these issues are applicable across themes – there are no topics or areas of discussion where they are not relevant, or their consideration does not raise new challenges.

Albeit completely virtual due to pandemic restrictions around the world, RILHUB was able to participate as a gender champion in the following sessions:

Voices from the Frontline: Resilience Lessons from Communities
This session brought together community voices from the “Voices from the Frontline” initiatives, discussing local responses to COVID-19 and how local action can be supported.

The Voices from the Frontline has been supporting communities across the globe in sharing their stories on the challenges of and the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative has shed light on the different ways that local communities are self-organizing and effectively mobilizing sources of resilience in the face of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown.

The session was lead by the Global Resilience Partnership, the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network. It applied a talk show format to bring together community voices from the initiative, academics, local government representatives, and international organizations in an engaging and deep conversation.
Pathways to Youth Inclusion in the Local Governance of Climate Action
Youth inclusion in the adaptation processes is pertinent at the local government level where they could make invaluable contributions through their energy, vision, and ideas to help shape climate change adaptation measures and policies.

The session sought to explore Pathways to Youth Inclusion, answering these questions:
- What are the key areas for youth inclusion in adaptation processes at the local governance level?
- What barriers and enabling factors exist for meaningful youth inclusion?
- How do we ensure gender favourable youth inclusion in local climate action?
Generally, the session will explore various views on youth and gender inclusion in local adaptation processes. It was lead by the Green Africa Youth Organization and the Official Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC.
What Women Want: How Grassroots and Urban Poor Women are Impacting Change in Climate Adaptation Policy and Practice
This session highlighted how grassroots needs are being articulated, and open discussions around financing solutions for the urban poor.

SDI and Huairou Commission showcased how grassroots and urban poor women are effectively innovating, engaging, and advocating for changes in policy and practice that speak to their priorities and needs. It shared the methods they are using, and how this work pushes forward adaptation efforts that are truly community-based in order to effect change from the local to global levels.

This session was facilitated by Slum Dwellers International and the Huairou Commission.
Zoom is Marvellous
Ideal for trainers, youth workers, managers, community builders, and generally anyone who needs inspiration for Zoom, this session tackled safety considerations and how to be inclusive and engaging in online spaces. It shared methods of how to move beyond ‘presentation’ style sessions to creative interactive sessions by sharing different experiences, fears, and joys of working online.

This session was facilitated by Rehearse the Revolution.
Climate Storytelling for Impact
The need to challenge ourselves to move past the mono culture of past climate narratives by identifying and amplifying the biodiversity of stories and communication as diverse as the ecosystem we seek to save was highlighted in this session.

Formatted as a peer-to-peer learning session, it shared a case study on impactful storytelling through film, what storytellers are doing to catalyze climate communication and a breakout group exercise on how to strategize with a story for impact.

This session was lead by DOCUBOX, Docsociety, and the Indian Documentary Foundation.

By providing avenues for discussion, learning, and knowledge exchange, there are more spaces for marginalized and vulnerable groups like women, children, and indigenous peoples to voice out their specific experiences, concerns, and proposed solutions that are from the perspective of those on the ground. It was highlighted how specific sessions throughout the week-long event were dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and girls in the frontlines and other sessions were either very gender-sensitive, gender-balanced in terms of speakers and facilitators, or at the very least, conscious of not being gender harmful in any way. As representatives of the CBA community of practice shared their reflections on the conference and what needs to happen next alongside high-level panelists during the closing plenary of the event, it was notable to see varied and colorful observations related to or suggestions on how to “use the momentum of the super-year to transform adaptation and address structural inequalities”.

RILHUB continues to strive to create and support various opportunities for learning, reflection, and the sharing of best practices among partners, communities, and stakeholders.

The Moving Urban Poor Communities in Mindanao towards Resilience Project (MOVE UP-Mindanao) is an urban resilience project aimed at contributing to the resilience building of urban poor populations to withstand and manage the impact of disasters. It seeks to strengthen the urban disaster preparedness, response, and management capacity of the national, sub-national, and local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders through the adaption and replication of tested urban resilience strategies.

In partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy (DILG-LGA), the project intends to share its lessons learned, good practices, and innovations gathered and tested from its experience working with urban poor communities, municipalities, and provinces to contribute to the large-scale resilience-building effort.

MOVE UP Mindanao is implemented by a consortium of international non-government organizations which includes Plan International Philippines, Action Against Hunger, and CARE Philippines with its local partner ACCORD Inc. Funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the project is currently being implemented in nine (9) local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao.

The Resilience Knowledge Exchange Series (RKES) Session covering this topic was held on May 27, 2021 which aimed to :

Share the experience of CARE and ACCORD regarding their IRM mainstreaming work;
Provide guidance on how to implement mainstreaming using the recently-published Mainstreaming Integrated Risk Management: An Accompanying Guide to Planning; and
Serve as an introductory session and a preparation for more detailed, comprehensive IRM mainstreaming sessions in the future.

This presentation on Mainstreaming Integrated Risk Management in the Local Government Units’ Planning System was created and presented by Ms. Sindhy Obias, Executive Director, ACCORD, Inc.

To access a soft copy of this material, please click here.