The document outlines the importance of communication for development (ComDev) in community-based adaptation (CBA) to climate change, emphasizing the need for participatory approaches and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. It highlights various strategies and technologies that facilitate adaptive capacities in vulnerable communities while focusing on social processes and equitable access to information. Key principles include enhancing local knowledge, fostering dialogue, and bridging gaps between global and local knowledge systems.

1. Seeking Livelihood Adaptation through Communication for Development Mario Acunzo Communication for Development Officer Natural Resources Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

2. CBA focuses on enabling vulnerable groups and communities to enhance their own adaptive capacity , and increase their resilience to climate change It requires multi-stakeholders action, innovation and a process of social learning for adaptive livelihoods. CBA involves multiple pathways and a combination of immediate, medium and long-term measures “knowledge intensive” . Knowledge and communication: assets in Community Based Adaptation (CBA)

3. Improved knowledge , information sharing , and people’s participation for concerted action are key assets towards adaptation Communication is a key in these processes for sound CBA and therefore it has to be considered since the beginning Communication for Development (ComDev) is a participatory approach that integrates the use of communication strategies, media and processes to enable people and institutions to share knowledge and information and to reach a consensus towards a common action Communication: a key to CBA

4. Technology innovation/adaptation Community based NRM Disaster risk management Livelihood adaptation Environmental/local governance Rural Communication Strategies & Systems Communication experiences relevant to CBA

5. TECA - Proven technologies for small holders Virtual Extension and Research Communication Network (VERCON) - Bhutan, Costa Rica Rural Communication Systems: FarmNet (Namibia), RADCON (Egypt), RKN (Uganda), IC4NRM (Bolivia) Communication systems relevant to CBA

6. Lessons learnt Focus on social processes rather than on media Building on existing knowledge and communication systems Ensure equitable access to knowledge and information Promote local contents Use realistic technologies Ensure financial sustainability Enhancing local communication capacities

7. ComDev methodologies

8. Towards a Communication approach in CBA The livelihood adaptation framework ‘ ’ Livelihood adaptation to climate variability and change in drought-prone areas of Bangladesh ’ ’, FAO 2006

9. A working definition The systematic design and use of participatory communication processes, strategies and media to share knowledge and information among all stakeholders in a particular agro-ecological context in order to enhance peoples’ resilience and livelihood options to cope with climate change Communication approach to livelihood adaptation

10. ComDev strategies can foster CBA by: facilitating equitable access to knowledge and information enhance learning and action => co-creation of knowledge promoting peoples’ participation in CBA improving linkages between research, extension, advisory services and farmers for technology adaptation enhancing community based adaptation processes bridging the “information glocal divide ” reducing the gap between global environmental systems, local knowledge and communities R ole of ComDev in CBA

11. Key principles: enhancing local knowledge and communication processes

12. Key principles: fostering Dialogue and Mediation

13. Key principles: Convergence and appropriation of technologies

14. Integrate ComDev approaches and strategies in CBA Document best practices and showcase results Assess options for new ComDev services for CBA Build capacities in ComDev Support communities of practices and partnerships Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative Challenges

15. Thank you [email_address]