The main goal of the capacity building and local knowledge component was to provide technical knowledge for managing and conserving water, natural pastures, and livestock. Our focus was on informing community members and park rangers through evaluation workshops and training sessions on topics such as pasture fencing, water management and water distribution. A 3-D model of the Miraflores community was developed in a participatory way to facilitate planning for managing pastures and water in the communal territory. Information was gathered during participatory rural appraisals. These appraisals include specific studies focused on water, pastures, archeology, social organization, agricultural and livestock productivity.

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.

The identification of socially, economically and environmentally viable EbA solutions for each community were identified through:

(1) local participatory assessments to identify threats and potential solutions;

(2) household surveys to collect information on income sources and dependence on natural resources and

(3) social cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to explicitly compare the costs and benefits of adaptation options including impacts on ecosystem services.

The vulnerability assessment was carried out for three periods: the status quo in 2014, the period 2030-2060 and the period 2070-2100. The assessment follows the eight-step approach described in GIZ’s Vulnerability Sourcebook, and was supplemented by a scientific modeling of the impacts of climate change for Burundi.

The study was carried out by three institutions (Adelphi, EURAC, PIK) in collaboration with GIZ / ACCES and its partners. Four national workshops were held with all relevant stakeholders. A group of experts was created to advise and direct the process. Activities at the local level at the selected project sites were carried out in close collaboration with local governmental and non-governmental actors and the local population.

The results of the assessment were presented in the form of vulnerability maps for the three factors of erosion, drought and malaria prevalence. Highly vulnerable areas have been identified to guide the identification of three pilot watersheds. In these watersheds, local vulnerability assessments were conducted to identify local challenges and appropriate adaptation measures.

The ACCES project developed a holistic and participatory approach through the implementation of adaptation measures in the 3 pilot zones. This approach takes into account the environmental, societal, economic and pedoclimatic dimensions of Burundi.

The successive stages of implementation have consisted of establishing a list of adaptation measures that can respond to climatic stimuli. These measures have been categorized according to their typology: grey measures, green measures, capacity building, action research, policy framework. The project prioritized capacity building measures and green measures for feasibility and sustainability issues. The project then conducted participatory planning workshops in each of the pilot areas to assess their acceptability in consultation with the population. The result was a set of consensual and specific CCA measures for each of the zones. To ensure quality and sustainability, a follow-up technical committee was established locally (CTS-L). This committee is made up of people from the local administration, farmers leaders, association leaders, who are in charge of monitoring and sustaining the measures.

In Burundi, gender inequalities continue to restrict women's access to decision-making, resources and benefits (education, information, land ownership, time, jobs, credits, etc.) and the equitable distribution of tasks. Faced with this situation, women are becoming more vulnerable but are also excluded from efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

The ACCES project carried out a gender analysis in its intervention zones. The evaluation of the status of gender mainstreaming in planning and implementation of adaptation measures, in information and early warning systems and in Community Development Community Plans (PCDCs) yielded several recommendations. One recommendation was the CCA model household approach. The goal is that couples are trained in replicating the techniques, skills and experiences gained through the project within their respective CCA households, taking into account that women are powerful change agents and development and in order to empower women.

Joint migratory bird monitoring programmes and support of common scientific and management projects to promote conservation and management of the natural resources of the Wadden Sea and Banc d’Arguin. The ambition is for the two sites to take lead in simultaneous counts along the entire East Atlantic Flyway in order to get a full picture on the status of migratory bird populations using the flyway. Research on migratory birds in the Wadden Sea and Banc d'Arguin is closely interconnected and significant for all other wintering, breeding and staging sites along the flyway. Thus, only scientific cooperation can reach a holistic perception of the flyway and a common basis for successful management.

Regular exchange visits and exchange of know-how between experts and site managers. These meetings are means of capacity building with harmonised values and methods taught and practiced both in Banc d’Arguin and the Wadden Sea. Common monitoring and management methods are harmonized and a shared level of knowledge and understanding is created. Participants are scientists, site managers and other experts of the respective protected areas.

To rehabilitate, reconstruct and redesign drinking water systems damaged by Tropical Storm Stan in 2005, the Tacaná project facilitated communications, damage assessment and the organisation of donor coordination in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. In conjunction with municipalities and governmental authorities, a reconstruction plan for the Department of San Marcos was developed. WANI coordinated the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 72 drinking water systems and four small irrigation systems.

A total of 77 communities with approximately 34,092 inhabitants comprising 6,616 families took part in water supply system studies. Disaster preparedness plans and mechanisms were developed alongside the drinking water systems reconstruction. 

At the community level in Guatemala, WANI facilitated the development of collaborations with the Community Development Committees and coordinated with Municipal and National Development Councils to enable integration of microwatershed planning and management with community-led action on development. Implementation has demonstrated that projects formulated by the communities rather than external institutions respond to the real demands of communities.

At the department level in San Marcos, in Guatemala, an alliance was created with 16 government and NGOs, to form the Inter-Institutional Coordination for Natural Resources and the Environment of San Marcos. CORNASAM has adopted the microwatershed as the unit of planning and, together, these groups have coordinated outreach and training in the micro-watershed approach.

As a result of the success of the Microwatershed model at the local level, the National Microwatershed Commission of Guatemala was established, comprising several government ministries and NGOs/ IGOs (Action Against Hunger, FAO and IUCN) to lead application of governance reform through microwatershed management country-wide. This National Commission will facilitate the preparation of national public water policies.