Launch of new research grants programme with Africa Research and Impact Network

Accountable Adaptation is excited to announce the launch of a mini-grants programme in collaboration with the Africa Research and Impact Network, exploring accountability for adaptation in Africa. The mini-grants programme brings together seven researcher fellows from Zimbabwe, Togo, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Egypt who will each trial and document different ways of thinking about accountability in adaptation. This six month programme builds upon Accountable Adaptation’s Working paper ‘Opening up Accountability in adaptation’ and the broader project goals of piloting new ways of building accountability across adaptation.

The Accountable Adaptation working paper explores different dimensions that are vital for enhancing effective accountability mechanisms in adaptation. These dimensions include the directionality of accountability (i.e. who is accountable to whom), transparency (the importance of providing clear information) and feedback (the need for effective communication channels that result in action). Each of the Accountable Adaptation Fellows’ projects explore different aspects of this agenda, situating their research across diverse contexts, sectors and themes.

Below we introduce each of the Fellow’s projects.  

Exploring digital technologies and accountability in rural areas of Togo - Sika Limazie

This project explores the use of digital tools for enhancing accountability in adaptation projects in rural Togo. Despite increasing adaptation investments, the lack of participatory mechanisms and transparency tools hampers effective resource management and community input into adaptation projects. This research will investigate how digital tools including mobile applications and online platforms can enhance accountability in climate adaptation projects, providing recommendations specifically tailored to the rural context of Togo. 

Analysing the role of peer knowledge sharing for accountability in Ghana - Danley Colecraft Aidoo 

This project aims to explore how peer knowledge sharing networks of farmers in Ghana can enhance accountability. The practice of peer knowledge sharing is seen as an essential but underexplored mechanism for enhancing accountability in climate adaptation initiatives. These networks ensure the dissemination of critical information, enable collective action and can foster grassroots monitoring of adaptation efforts. By analysing how these informal networks facilitate accountability, the study seeks to generate insight into their potential for strengthening adaptation outcomes amongst rural communities. 

Fostering knowledge co-creation in climate adaptation governance, strategies and implementation in Egypt - Merham Keleg

This project highlights the importance of constructing shared knowledge of climate change problems at the community level to enhance the accountability of climate change projects. This could improve local capacity for transformative adaptation and provide a means of empowering communities to assert and integrate their perspectives into climate adaptation projects. While knowledge co-creation is seen as vital, the responsibility for ensuring it is incorporated is unclear. In this project, the role of civil society is explored as a potential bridge between the public and the state. 

Participatory approaches to accountability in local climate adaptation Strategies in Zimbabwe - Lameck Kachena 

This project seeks to explore how participatory dialogues can promote intra-institutional accountability for local authorities engaged in adaptation interventions. Data is scarce on how local authorities in Zimbabwe are held accountable to the communities they represent during climate disasters. These institutions face challenges including unclear roles and responsibilities, insufficient resources, and underdeveloped implementation systems when disasters occur. In this context, this research aims to understand how local authorities can be held accountable by public stakeholders. 

Exploring creative arts for accountability in adaptation in Nigeria - Franklin Pyokpung Zaure 

This research project seeks to harness the power of creative arts, specifically theatre, as a way of enhancing accountability for adaptation in Nigeria. By leveraging local cultural elements and traditions, the initiative aims to engage local government officials, community-based organisations, youth organisations, civil society and community leaders. In doing so, the research will explore specific examples of improving accountability in adaptation by validating the effectiveness of creative arts as tools for climate accountability. This will explore a more informed and proactive approach to climate adaptation in Nigeria that aims to improve communication channels and increase community engagement in climate adaptation initiatives. 

Investigating the role of children in climate adaptation monitoring and reporting in Zimbabwe - Simbarashe Kanyimo 

This research project seeks to explore the potential of child-driven accountability mechanisms to enhance climate adaptation monitoring and reporting in urban contexts. It argues that despite children’s unique perspectives, their contributions are often overlooked. The absence of child participation in climate-related planning and interventions is seen to represent a significant gap in both policy and practice, leaving a wealth of young perspectives and local knowledge untapped. By engaging children in the process of climate monitoring and reporting in Harare, Zimbabwe, this research will explore their perceptions, challenges and contributions to building resilient communities. In doing so it will assess the feasibility of incorporating children’s insights into existing monitoring and reporting systems to enhance their effectiveness and inclusivity. 

Hydro-citizenship and accountable urban flood adaptation: exploring partnerships to build resilience in informal settlements in South Africa - Johannes Bhanye 

This research seeks to explore more collaborative approaches towards managing floods, enabling hydrocitizenship, community-based adaptation and cross-scalar governance. Highlighting that partnerships are essential for pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and aligning various interests towards addressing flood challenges, this project argues that effective partnerships can foster innovative solutions that are more sustainable than those developed by any single entity. Despite this, these partnerships often face challenges including a lack of accountability and challenging relationships that hinder effective flood management. This study aims to explore partnership dynamics within the context of informal settlements in Cape Town to emphasize the need for partnerships that are not only effective but also accountable to the communities they serve. 

You can find out more about each of the fellows and the projects here.