The program supported three core activity areas or program strategies:
- Participatory action research
- Education and training
- Communications and networking
These strategies are mutually reinforcing. All supported research projects include capacity development and knowledge sharing. And we added additional layers to ensure a wider base of capacity is built, progress is monitored, and knowledge on adaptation is shared among and beyond CCAA’s partners.
The learning-by-doing approach that lies at the heart of action research fills an important need in Africa. It brings scientists and communities together to validate indigenous knowledge—what people already know and rely on—while testing new approaches to adaptation. By supporting links to policymakers, development practitioners, and others who support communities’ adaptation efforts, we’re helping to lay the groundwork to transfer results and skills to those who will use them over the long term. The result — strong, lasting links among researchers, policymakers, and communities that help create effective strategies and solutions.
In our final year, we are focused on devolving key activity areas to strong African organizations, and synthesizing and communicating results.
How we do it
We built our programming and governance structure around the belief that Africans can and must lead in addressing the challenges they face. An Advisory Board has guided our work, ensuring we retain and promote African expertise and priorities. The Board is composed of our program leader, six African regional experts in the field of climate change adaptation, and representatives from IDRC and the UK’s Department for International Development.
How to apply
The Climate Change Adaptation in Africa program is no longer accepting new proposals for funding. For details on how to apply for funding from other IDRC programs (such as Climate Change and Water), please consult our Funding page.