Making Civil Society Engagement in NAP Processes Effective and Inclusive

Effective National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes are participatory, bringing together actors from different parts of government with non-governmental actors. This includes individual citizens as well as civil society organizations (CSOs). CSOs play a critical role in strengthening capacities for adaptation, providing services that build resilience, and facilitating collective action, particularly at the local level. CSOs are essential to the successful implementation of adaptation priorities identified through NAP processes.  These organizations also act as advocates for the rights of marginalized groups, bringing voices that are often excluded into policy discussions. However, even when the government is interested in involving CSOs in adaptation decision-making processes, there may be constraints to inclusive and meaningful engagement, meaning that important perspectives are not captured in NAP processes. 

This NAP Global Network webinar brought together government and CSO representatives involved in NAP processes to explore why civil society engagement in adaptation decision making is essential and how to make it effective and meaningful, toward more inclusive and gender-responsive NAP processes.

Speakers

Maxime Matthew, National Project Coordinator, Green Climate Fund Readiness Project – “Enhancing Saint Lucia’s NAP Process,” Department of Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia
Mana Omar, Founder & Executive Director Spring of the Arid and Semi-arid lands (SASAL)
Thabang Phago, Director, Climate Change Adaptation CD, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Angie Dazé, Director, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, NAP Global Network Secretariat (IISD)
Moderator: Chi Pham, Peer Learning Officer, NAP Global Network Secretariat (IISD)

Slides

Recording

For more information on our work on civil society engagement in NAP processes:

Peer Learning Forum | Civil Society Engagement in National Adaptation Plan Processes
Envisioning Resilience Photo Essay | “My Photos Are Giving a Voice to the People”: The Rwandan women shaping adaptation plans
Briefing Note | Envisioning Resilience: What we’re learning about creative methods for policy dialogue on adaptation

Publisher: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)