Steps towards effectively communicating EbA solutions and trade-offs to stakeholders

It is important to communicate the results of a complex analysis such as a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in a non-technical way. Outcomes were reported to communities in the form of key messages encompassing the effects of EbA on community welfare, traditions and customary rules. For instance, restoring historical wells for provision of water during climate emergencies also comes with social benefits, such as maintaining historical and customary sites. Similarly, the EbA solution for watershed protection also helps to protect areas used to provide plants for traditional medicinal uses. We found that an effective way to communicate solutions, synergies and trade-offs is to tap into traditional uses of services and resources from the ecosystems.

Support from local NGOs, Communities interest in challenges and opportunities

a) It is crucial to break down CBA results into non-technical language, through key messages that spell out benefits and costs, in order for individuals, households and community to weigh challenges and opportunities of EbA solutions;

b) it was important to report benefits as opportunities in terms of capacity building, alternative source of income or livelihoods and describing welfare improvement for households and community;

c) where possible, presenting costs in terms of time that communities should commit for implementing and enforcing a solution (e.g. maintaining wells, vegetation strips, etc.) improve understanding of the results.