Report "Stronger partnerships and local innovations: tackling new climate realities in cities"
Local governments and organized community groups are key actors for effective and sustainable interventions to reduce risks and build resilience in cities. Meanwhile, local civil society and the private sector are also relevant stakeholders and bridge builders, helping to enhance capacities and ensure successful collaboration. Incremental climate adaptation solutions that bring together and draw on the complementary strengths of local governments and communities have a critical role to play.
This report highlights key lessons learned from the implementation of projects in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Kenya, Liberia, Somalia and Uganda. It also presents recommendations in support of community-driven climate action in urban areas through citywide infrastructure, policy changes at the municipal and national levels, inclusive development and increased climate adaptation funding.
Thematic Session at the Development and Climate Days 2021
Drawing upon the experiences of four local NGOs working to improve the climate resilience of vulnerable communities, this conversation focused on new climate adaptation approaches built upon Public Community Partnerships and with the potential to catalyse transformational change in cities.
Innovation Stories
Child Marriage: A Hidden Consequence of Climate Change
As climate-related events continue to intensify, new methods and technologies and more inclusive responses will be important for helping communities proactively manage and reduce climate-related disaster risks. And by helping communities become more resilient, the AWCC project is also helping to protect the futures of girl children in Somalia.
Tech Tools for Tackling Climate Change in Informal Settlements
Around the world, climate change is hitting hardest on those who can least afford it, often the poorest residents of informal urban settlements. But people are finding ways to fight back, using electronic technology in innovative projects designed to help their communities prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Read the full story
Community Engagement on Climate Change in Informal Settlements
As people around the world struggle to address problems created by climate change, it can be helpful to consider two key questions that affect community engagement: What makes a community? And how can communities build a common ground of understanding for discussing climate change and taking action?
Women's Crucial Role in Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Although climate-related disasters tend to hit women hardest, women and their unique knowledge and environmental management skills are also proving essential to climate change adaptation efforts. Five innovative projects funded by Cities Alliance and implemented by local organisations are already demonstrating that women are critical in building community climate resilience.
No time to lose: how youth in informal settlements in Bangladesh and Kenya are enabling local action on climate adaptation
The contributions of youth are absolutely critical for increasing awareness about climate change in cities, for inspiring local action and participation, and for building resilience and capacity for the future.
This is particularly important in the context of informal settlements and economies which already have a limited capacity to absorb shocks. Being at the frontline of climate impacts, the urban poor – and in particular young people – have demonstrated what they can achieve to strengthen their communities’ resilience to climate change. It is essential, however, that they are given access to resources and are supported in preparing for and adapting to the changes in climate.
Country-based resources:
Bangladesh: Climate Resilience Plans Development with Digital Maps in Bangladesh
Profile | Climate resilience plans development with digital maps in Bay of Bengal's cities
Reports | Final Report (June 2021)
Project Update (December 2020)
Video | Badabon Sangho at the CBA15 Marketplace
Kenya: Sparking Dialogue to Create Climate Resilient Livelihoods
Profile | Future Yetu
Reports | Final Report (June 2021)
Project Update (December 2020)
Toolkit | Hope Raisers - Digital Storytelling Toolkit (January 2023)
Blog | Building Climate Resilience in the Slums Through Storytelling
Podcast |
Video |
Launch of Korogocho Climate Change and Adaptation Manifesto
Somalia: Supporting Vulnerable Communities to Adapt to Climate Shocks
Report | Final report (June 2021)
Project Update (As of December 2020)
Uganda: Improving Waste Management for Flood Control
Profile | Waste management for flood control in Bwaise
Report | Final report (June 2021)
Project Update (As of December 2020)
Story | Tackling Climate Change in Kampala's Informal Settlements
Video | Short animation produced by TAU to sensitize communities about the consequences of poor waste management:
Additional resources
Community of Practice (CoP)
Peer Learning | Session 1: Getting to know each other
Peer Learning | Session 2 and 3: Sharing knowledge on local climate change adaptation
Detailed requirements for the Call for Proposals 2020:
Guidelines | Call for Proposals 2020
Harnessing knowledge and diversity from within local communities and matching with the legal mandates of local governments enables the creation of interventions more aligned with experienced realities and the identification of new approaches.
Cities Alliance Secretariat