East Africa is on the frontline of climate change. Devastating droughts, unpredictable floods, and rising sea levels are increasingly disrupting lives and livelihoods across the region. Despite significant investments and collaborative efforts with global partners to implement adaptation interventions, the vulnerability of communities persists. This raises critical questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives and the underlying challenges hindering their success.

To decipher the complexities and assess the efficacy of climate change adaptation initiatives in East Africa, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has commissioned the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub to undertake a comprehensive study. Entitled “Assessing the Effectiveness of Climate Change Adaptation Interventions in East Africa,” the research spans nine countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan. By examining the performance of various adaptation strategies, the study aims to provide evidence-based insights for future investments and policy development.

Scope of the Study 

Further the study seeks to identify knowledge gaps hindering our understanding of adaptation intervention effectiveness in vulnerable contexts. By pinpointing the factors that contribute to successful adaptation, the research aims to inform future programming that minimizes losses while maximizing economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Objectives

Focusing on nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the water-energy-food nexus, the study will address the following objectives:

1. Determine the most effective sectors, interventions, and institutional arrangements for building climate resilience and guiding future investments.
2. Identify factors influencing the adoption and sustainability of different interventions, emphasizing the importance of local leadership, gender equity, and social inclusion.
3. Identify key stakeholders driving adaptation efforts in East Africa.

Study Phases

To effectively achieve the study’s objectives, the research is divided into two phases:

Phase One: Scoping, Evidence Synthesis, and Appraisal. This phase involved a comprehensive landscape analysis, mapping existing adaptation interventions, and assessing available evidence. A regional workshop held on February 28, 2024, facilitated stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing. Key outcomes of this phase included:

1. Validation of initial mapping findings and identification of additional interventions.
2. Prioritization of adaptation gaps and corresponding investment needs.
3. Analysis of factors contributing to intervention sustainability and transformative impact.
4. Identification of drivers influencing the adoption of adaptation interventions at various levels.

This first phase produced a comprehensive scoping; a)evidence synthesis, and appraisal report, complemented by; b) an adaptation intervention matrix. This matrix, informed by eleven established principles of effective adaptation, provided a structured framework for analyzing the mapped interventions.

Phase Two: Data Collection and Analysis. Phase two involved in-depth data collection through key informant interviews with project implementers, beneficiaries, policymakers, and funders across selected case studies. These interviews aimed to provide granular insights into adaptation effectiveness and address data gaps identified in the initial phase. To complement this, in-person focus group discussions were conducted with experts in nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the water-energy-food nexus. These discussions explored country-specific adaptation priorities, ongoing interventions, effectiveness, and the institutional landscape for accelerating adaptation action.

Publications and Outputs  

The study will produce the following outputs:

1. Inception Report
2. Scoping, Evidence Synthesis, and Appraisal Report
3. Adaptation Intervention Matrix
4. Phase Two Inception Report
5. Country-Specific Reports
6. Policy Briefs
7. Manuscripts

Project Team

Principal Investigator: Dr. Joanes Atela (ARIN)

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Maria Nantogo (Makerere University Business School)

Postdoctoral Fellow: Dr. Humphrey Agevi (ARIN)

Project Coordinator: Mr. Washington Kanyangi (ARIN)

Project Communication: Ms. Florence Onyango (ARIN)

Project Assistants: Ms. Edna Kowenje, Ms. Diana Muthusi, Mr. Ezekiel Gogo (GIS Expert)-(All of ARIN)

Partners and Funders