Reflecting as we go – Lessons from designing and delivering CDKN’s knowledge brokering workshops CDKN Learning Lead, Lucia Scodanibbio, reflects on what she’s discovered so far from developing and facilitating the first knowledge brokering workshops of the third phase of CDKN.

The (ongoing) journey to the ‘All hands on deck’ card experience CDKN’s Learning Lead, Lucia Scodanibbio, describes the evolution of the knowledge brokering reflection cards that have been developed to facilitate more dynamic, playful meetings that yet focus on serious issues.

Strengthening connections between biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation in science-policy processes CDKN’s Nadia Sitas and Fatema Rajabali reflect on a recent Africa-focused training provided to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) national focal points. This learning continues to inform how CDKN will support and strengthen biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation to build resilience, protect life and foster sustainable land management which are priorities for countries and global frameworks alike.

Climate Justice: Youth perspectives from the global South In October, the Justice in a Changing Climate project announced the recipients of eleven climate justice awards of $2,000 each to implement climate justice projects of their choosing in their communities. This video shares some of the diverse perspectives of youth on climate justice.

Empowering climate action: Insights from the CDKN programme in Ghana The third phase of the CDKN programme was launched in Ghana in October, marking a significant step in implementing innovative climate action in line with existing climate-related national policies, strategies and plans. Some of these include the National Adaptation Plan, the Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Youth Climate Action Plan (NYCAP).

What micro-grants teach us about funding locally-led research The Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) micro-grants programme offers a potentially powerful model for devolved financing that supports community-led action research for adaptation. This blog forms part of a series from the Africa Regional Resilience Hub in the lead up to COP28. Along with other regions in the global South, the Regional Hubs work to amplify regional voices to global decision-making spaces, with a particular focus on communities and underrepresented and lesser heard voices.

Climate justice awards: Youth leaders announced CDKN, the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) and the Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL) have announced the 30 sponsored participants to attend the Landscape Leadership Workshop and Global Landscapes Forum from 9-12 October 2023. Of these participants, 11 are recipients of CDKN's climate justice awards, supporting young climate leaders in Africa to implement an activity or process in their communities, landscapes or seascapes that envisions or advances climate justice.

How can grants effectively support locally-led adaptation: Three key insights from Africa Climate Week Guy Rudolph and Esperanza Karaho from CDKN share their insights from a breakfast discussion held on the sidelines of Africa Climate Week in Nairobi. The gathering involved both grant-makers and grant recipients and focused on answering the question: ‘How can we design our funding programmes to best support locally-led adaptation?’

Ecosystem-based approaches for just climate action in African cities: Seven takeaways from Africa Climate Week CDKN, ICLEI Africa, PlanAdapt and World Resources Institute colleagues reflect on a recent session held at Africa Climate Week that focused on the importance of equitable ecosystem-based approaches as a means to address climate challenges. Several nature-based solution pathways for action are highlighted that have the greatest potential for driving change in African cities.

Key insights: Convening national and sub-national actors in Namibia to scale adaptation action CDKN’s Amanda April, Fatema Rajabali and Margaret Angula reflect on the Namibia country programme inception meeting, where key stakeholders laid the groundwork for collaboration to build resilience, enhance adaptation and promote sustainable practices. The authors share eight insights that emerged from the collaborative meeting.

Practising what we preach: CDKN’s own co-creation adventure CDKN Learning lead, Lucia Scodanibbio, reflects on a recent three day co-creation process the CDKN team undertook to develop a capacity strengthening programme to assist knowledge brokers to be more effective facilitators of climate action. While acknowledging the challenges associated with co-creation spaces, Lucia emphasises the sustainable, inclusive and effective solutions that can emerge from them.