Written by Florence Joana Bule, Resilience & Livelihood Portfolio Manager, World Vision Vanuatu
I recently attended the Community-Based Adaptation (CBA20) conference in the Philippines, which brought together 400 participants in 67 countries around the world who are working with communities to respond to climate change.
This conference brings together NGOs, government bodies, CBOs, funders and international Non-Government Organizations. The purpose of this event is to empower community-led solutions approaches to climate change based on local knowledge and needs. It was a valuable experience where I learned from different adaptation experiences, heard stories of great achievements and acknowledged the challenges faced by communities.
At its heart, the community- based adaptation is about communities taking the lead in responses to climate change challenges. Instead of bringing in solutions from outside their scope, it is good to focus on supporting local people to identify what works best for them, based on the existing knowledge and experiences and their community priorities.
One of the messages I took away from the conference was the importance of locally led solutions. Many countries around the world are already finding ways to adapt to changing weather patterns, stronger storms, water shortage and other climate-related challenges. Therefore, the role of organisations and development partners is not to lead these solutions but to support and strengthen what communities are already doing.
Another key lesson was the value of local knowledge. Many communities have generations of experience living with environmental change and uncertainty. While climate change creates new challenges, local knowledge remains an important part of building resilience. Throughout the conference, I heard stories of communities combining local traditional knowledge with new information and technologies to make informed decisions about their future.
Throughout the conference, I was encouraged by the focus on practical actions. Sometimes, the discussion about climate change can feel overwhelming because the challenges are so large. However, many of the examples shared at the conference highlighted simple, community-driven actions that are making a real difference. These included strengthening local food systems, improving Disaster Risk Reduction approaches, heat management, restoring Natural resources, empowering youths to take the lead in adaptation approaches, and creating a stronger community network.
These discussions are so relevant to Vanuatu. Across the islands of Vanuatu, many of these communities are already experiencing these impacts of climate change through stronger cyclones, changing rainfall patterns, coastal erosion, Heat waves and sea level rise. Despite these challenges, many of these communities in Vanuatu have demonstrated remarkable resilience.
The NOURISH project, funded by Irish Aid and supported through World Vision Ireland, has contributed to supporting some of these locally-led approaches. In many of the urban communities in Port Vila, people are adapting in practical ways every day. Families are growing food in backyard gardens and are working together with new garden technology, such as Keyhole Garden, to continue growing food in their backyard. Communities are also working together to prepare for disasters, and local groups are finding ways to support each other through the savings groups and other livelihood activities. These efforts may seem small, but together they help communities become stronger and more prepared for future challenges.
One thing that stood out to me at the conference was that many of the approaches discussed globally are already happening within communities. The conference reinforced the importance of continuing to invest in local leadership, community knowledge, and practical solutions that people can sustain long after the project ends.
The conference also reminded me that there is no single solutions that work everywhere due to community context. Every country and every community face different challenges and opportunities. While we can learn from experiences in other parts of the world. Solutions must be adapted to fit the local context and realities of communities in Vanuatu.
Personally, one of the most meaningful reflections from the conference was the reminder that communities are not simply victims of climate change. They are active problem solvers, innovators, and leaders. Some of the most effective and lasting solutions often begin with people who understand their own challenges and opportunities best.
As I return to my work in Vanuatu, I carry with me an appreciation for the strength, knowledge, and resilience that already existed within our communities. The lessons from CB20 will continue to shape how I think about the adaptation approach in the organisation I worked with, as not something done for the community, but something done with the communities.
Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges of our times, but the conference left me feeling hopeful. By listening to communities, supporting local leadership, and building on existing strengths, we can contribute to these changes by creating a more resilient future for the people in my nation, Vanuatu.