Reflections from the 19th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change, Brazil

The 19th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA19), held from 12–16 May 2025 in Recife, Brazil, provided a global forum for learning and advocacy among donors, practitioners, and governments. During the conference, a series of rich discussions highlighted community-driven innovations that foster inclusive, transformative, and locally led climate adaptation.

The Center for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) contributed by sharing insights on integrating gender-based violence (GBV) prevention into climate adaptation, drawing from a COP29 report developed by the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale Programme (What Works II) funded by FCDO and DFAT. This report underscored the need to address GBV to ensure the effective participation of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals—including those with disabilities and Indigenous backgrounds—in adaptation initiatives.

The What Works II funded project that CEDOVIP is leading in close collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment to integrate GBV prevention and response in the Wetlands Restoration Programme in Pallisa district, Uganda, was also presented as a practical example of integrating GBV prevention in a nontraditional sector. Conference participants found the integration approach compelling and unique, as other initiatives focus on economic empowerment and the provision of livelihoods. Some key takeaways from the conference included considering long-term programming, flexible funding mechanisms as well as provision for emergency requests and simplified expense tracking, women’s leadership in decision-making, and elevating women's voices in global platforms like CBA.

Accountability and transparency: building trust

Accountability and transparency was emphasised as important to programme design processes that communities can understand and own. Some organisations shared that they adapted grant applications to local contexts, with materials translated into local languages, and accepted verbal applications to overcome literacy and bureaucratic barriers. This also helped to enable access to funding for community-based organisations and strengthened community inclusion. It was also noted that accountability goes beyond systems — it is a process rooted in mutual learning and trust, and trust takes time to build.

Locally Led Adaptation

At CBA 19 locally led adaptation was recognised as an effective approach to address climate change. Sustainable resilience requires engaging communities in defining success and shaping strategies that are tailored to their unique experiences. Women, as knowledge holders, play a great role in nature and forest management.  It was observed that rather than relying solely on formal, top-down proposals written by a select few activists—who may not have direct exposure to environmental realities—climate interventions should prioritise context-specific needs identified by those most affected. Strengthening community trust involves dismantling misconceptions and barriers that hinder genuine participation, particularly ensuring women take the lead in decision-making.

Rather than defining solutions for communities, delegates heard that facilitators (Civil Society Organisations, Governments and donors) should play a supporting role: helping with practical aspects like opening bank accounts, forming project steering committees, and creating space for local governments and communities to negotiate priorities and allocate funding.

Community Resilience in Olinda Village, Pernambuco

During the conference we took part in a community learning visit in Olinda village, one of the most densely populated areas in Pernambuco, with high poverty rates and affected by climate change. The predominantly Black community faces harsh weather extremes, including floods, heavy rains, and prolonged water shortages—some homes go without water for up to 16 days. Yet women here have proved that resilience is possible. For example, a group of local women have transformed a former garbage dumping site into an urban farming project. They recycle waste to generate income, have enhanced hygiene, and contributed to reducing disease and infections in this community.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have cultivated a garden of vegetables, fruits, and native herbal trees—growing organic produce such as cocoa, bananas, avocados, oranges, papayas, cashew nuts, and sweet potatoes. In addition to providing fresh food, these trees regulate temperature, offering shade and creating a green environment full of life.

Beyond agriculture, the garden serves as a community hub for social interaction and healing. Residents come together to connect with nature, relieve stress, learn basic skills (cookery, knitting, writing, public speaking and reading – with a library) and support one another. The women also produce spices, share harvests, and distribute fruits among member families, reinforcing a spirit of mutual care and resilience.

The Olinda community provides a friendly learning experience with basic ideas that encourage community members to realise the benefits of preserving the environment. By recognising community interests and encouraging communities to lead initiatives, especially women — sustainable adaptation becomes possible and transformative.

About the author

Josephine Kamisya is Executive Director of the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP). CEDOVIP is dedicated to preventing violence against women and girls in Uganda through partnerships with communities, institutions, government agencies, and civil society.  The What Works II funded programme aims at integrating gender-based violence prevention and response into climate change mitigation efforts aligned with wetland restoration programmes in Uganda.

More information

• Learn more about CEDOVIP

• Read our latest report launched at COP29 on the importance of addressing GBV in Climate Action

Image credit (top): Denys, via Unsplash