New Video: How climate democracy helped a rural community recover from cyclone devastation
/What do you do when a disaster hits your community? And as climate change makes disasters more frequent and powerful, how can communities adapt and prepare? In 2019, when Cyclone Idai struck eastern Zimbabwe, people were unprepared. The devastation was massive, particularly among internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees. However, a resilient community in the district of Chipinge found a way forward—through grassroots participation and collective action.
Local leaders and community members came together to address climate change through a participatory, bottom-up approach. This process was developed through the Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA), which facilitated collaboration between the government, civil society, and the local community. The result was a new climate policy for the region, rooted in traditional leadership and indigenous knowledge. This process led to new regenerative agriculture practices, reduced deforestation, and more inclusive community participation.
Kudzaiishe Seti, programs officer for Zimbabwe’s Green Institute and a graduate of the CDA, guides us through this story: “From the tragedy of Cyclone Idai, people realized there were urgent issues that needed addressing. The people in the community often disagree on policies for the region, but the participatory process, with co-creation meetings, ensured that people had a common interest. It empowered them to define climate change, adaptation, and mitigation in their own understanding, allowing us to find a common goal in the call to action.”
Watch the Full Story
Key Impacts
New climate policy developed for the region
Educational and outreach initiatives reached over 50,000 people
Inclusion of women, youth, and refugees in decision-making and implementation
Reduced deforestation through the strengthening of anti-deforestation laws by traditional leaders
Implementation of terracing techniques to conserve soil and prevent landslides
Revival of Indigenous agroecology practices, including the planting of native trees
Sustainable honey production through the establishment of beehives
Market gardening providing fresh, locally-grown produce
Expansion of the implementation plan to other districts
Growth of regional interest from four Southern African countries in adopting participatory policy-making for climate action
Applications for the next cohort of the CDA are open until December 1. Will you be next to bring climate action to your community? Apply now.
This initiative was supported by People Powered and the World Resources Institute, which provided mentorship, training, and resources through the Climate Democracy Accelerator. This program was made possible thanks to support from the Waverley Street Foundation. You and your organization can join as a partner or participant in this program. Learn more here.
