Context 

Senegal’s economy is largely based on the agricultural sector, including livestock farming, fishing and forestry. This means that the country is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as well as land degradation, deforestation, coastal erosion and the deterioration of ecosystems. This directly affects local communities. Various adaptation strategies are being implemented to respond to climate variability. 

Through its positioning, CDKN-Senegal aims to mobilise a dynamic alliance to highlight relevant experiences and proven evidence, for the benefit of other communities. CDKN-Senegal's ambition is to respond to the need for political dialogue on local development, to provide useful resources for action, and to help identify and implement solutions for ecosystem-based adaptation, while integrating gender and social inclusion (GESI), as well as climate finance and its prospects for community development. The climatic problems associated with the coastal zone (North), forest ecosystems (South) and mangrove ecosystems (Centre) will therefore provide the framework for the deployment of CDKN's activities in Senegal, and opportunities for the production of knowledge that can be compared with local development plans.

Project objectives 

The Senegal programme’s main objective is to promote climate-resilient, gender-sensitive and socially inclusive development in Senegal. To achieve this objective, the project will focus on three priority areas:

• Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI): Supporting the integration of gender and social inclusion into policies and practices.
• Finance for resilience: Enabling access to appropriate and equitable finance for climate-resilient development.
• Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA): Strengthening the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation in a way that is equitable and adapted to local conditions.

Project activities 

1. Production and dissemination of knowledge

• Creation of a catalogue of best practices on land and ecosystem restoration (resource centre).
• Mapping of agricultural risks and local initiatives for agro-ecological and energy transitions.
• Drawing up local climate-sensitive development plans and developing teaching tools for environmental education.

2. Capacity building 

• Training producers through peer learning.
• Promoting women's empowerment, particularly on access to land, sustainable equipment and training in women's leadership.
• Organisation of boot camps for young people and educators.

3. Dissemination of knowledge 

• Sharing proven approaches to local and ecosystem-based adaptation.
• Lobbying for access to innovative funding and its integration into public policy.
• Dissemination of guides and teaching tools in schools.

4. Climate finance 

• Setting up financing mechanisms for small local economic units. 
• Developing bankable projects for agro-industries and local authorities.

Project outputs

Develop an online resource centre on climate and sustainable development in the South, North and Central regions of Senegal.