First Climate Democracy Action cohort launches action plans

“This is just the beginning of their work to engage their local communities  in planning a just, equitable response to the climate crisis ,” says Amanda Luz, learning programs manager for People Powered. “Their participation in our first CDA accelerator was the launching pad, and we hope they will use the experience to keep connecting with colleagues doing similar work and leverage it to expand the positive impact. Membership in our alumni network will provide ongoing support.”

Launch of the first CDA cohort 

Following a highly competitive selection process that attracted 215 applicants, the first 40 CDA participants convened last October. Over six months, they participated in online information-sharing and learning sessions, consulted with their assigned expert mentors, and worked their way through the Participation Playbook to develop a  participatory plan for their unique challenge.

Of the 32 participants who completed the full CDA requirements, 15 chose to develop participatory policymaking plans, nine focused on citizens’ assemblies, five selected participatory budgeting and three opted for legislative theater. People Powered is offering free mentorship to the alumni as they move into implementation.

In addition, our partner, the World Resources Institute (WRI), selected four of the action plans to support with implementation grants:

Green Institute Zimbabwe: participatory policymaking

The project developed by Green Institute Zimbabwe will use participatory policymaking in rural Chipinge to address its vulnerability to climate-induced cyclones, deforestation as a response to electricity shortages, and poor land use overall.  

The initiative is designed to engage residents in co-creating local policy to mitigate and adapt to climate change, building resilience through indigenous knowledge. Particular attention will be given to impacted, marginalized groups, primarily people internally displaced by Cyclone Idai in 2019; refugees, since the district is home to the Tongogara Refugee Camp, which is the biggest such camp in Zimbabwe; youth; people with disabilities; and women.

Community Initiative Action Group Kenya (CIAG): participatory budgeting

Flooding, drought and a collapsing ecosystem have resulted in massive crop failures and dying cows in rural Siaya County, in western Kenya. The goal of CIAG is to increase the capacity of stakeholders to effectively adapt to the climate crisis and mitigate the impact. In addition to local government officials, these include affected youth, women, farmers and the elderly.

Dialogue sessions will gather perceptions and concerns, a before-and-after survey will assess the response to the participatory budgeting pilot, and actual government allocation of resources will be an ongoing commitment.

Good Governance Zimbabwe Trust: legislative theater

Following Cyclone Idai in 2019, the eastern Chimanimani district council developed a policy to improve the adaptive capacity of citizens impacted by climate change. However, it is only a document at the moment. It has not been activated, and the goal of the theater initiative is to assure that low-income groups and other disadvantaged populations —such as women, youth, the elderly and ethnic groups — actively participate and benefit. 

The innovative use of legislative theater by Good Governance will help sensitize government officials to these individuals’ needs for rehabilitation of disrupted livelihoods, as well as inspire dialogue during the annual budget consultation.

Aide et Action pour la Paix, Democratic Republic of Congo: participatory planning

Land degradation, landslides, heavy rainfall, high temperatures, disruption of crop seasons and declining biodiversity all plague the DRC. This initiative by Aide et Action pour la Paix will target the municipality of Bahunde (north Kivu), seeking to assure that the next five-year development plan addresses these climate-related concerns.

Youth will be a particular focus, since they make up 60% of the population and rely heavily on agricultural entrepreneurship to make an income. 

What's next?

We will keep expanding this global community focused on climate democracy! A new CDA cohort soon will join the alumni on this mission. Stay tuned: Applications will open for the next CDA cohort in May, this time offering implementation grants to every participant. Watch for the announcement!