By Edna Kowenje

Participants of the Step Change learning review workshop

The Step Change Learning Review Workshop held in Arusha, Tanzania from February 11- 14, 2025, convened stakeholders from Africa, Latin America and South Asia to reflect on key achievements, challenges, and collaboration opportunities across projects funded under the International Development Research Center (IDRC) Step Change Initiative. 

The high-level workshop facilitated cross-regional knowledge exchange enabling the participants to share insights, assess project impact and explore synergies in advancing equitable and inclusive Locally Led Adaptation (LLA). Through interactive discussions, peer learning sessions, and group engagements, participants deepened their understanding of best practices, scalability strategies, and pathways for strengthening partnerships in addressing climate resilience, digital innovation, and policy integration.

Key insights that emerged included:

The Power of Local Voices in Adaptation 

A central theme of the workshop was the critical role of local voices in climate adaptation. Integrating local perspectives ensures that adaptation initiatives are inclusive, context-specific, and effective. Grounding adaptation efforts in the lived experiences of local communities fosters a strong sense of ownership, ensuring long-term resilience. 

However, participants highlighted a pressing challenge: sustaining community engagement and strengthening local capacity over time. Without continued support and adequate resources, adaptation initiatives risk losing momentum. To address this, the workshop emphasized capacity building, continuous knowledge exchange, and fostering local leadership as key strategies for maintaining long-term resilience. 

Dr. Joanes Atela giving insights on the importance of locally-led, and community accessible financing structures that empower local initiatives

Cross-Project Collaboration and Learning 

Collaboration and knowledge sharing across projects drive innovation, enhance methodologies, and improve overall project efficiency. The workshop underscored the importance of peer learning, cross-project synthesis, and shared platforms to facilitate the exchange of lessons learned.

A notable example was the formation of the Collaborative Framework for Metrics, led by the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN). This initiative aims to standardize impact measurement approaches, reinforcing collective efforts to scale up adaptation actions and ensure long-term sustainability.

Sustainability and Metrics for Impact

Sustainability emerged as a key concern, with discussions emphasizing the need to maintain momentum beyond project timelines. Strategies for achieving long-term impact included building local ownership, embedding initiatives within governance structures, and aligning efforts with national and regional priorities.

A critical focus was placed on developing robust and context-sensitive metrics to measure adaptation impact effectively. Participants emphasized the need for layered metrics that integrate quantitative outcomes with qualitative community insights. Remarkably, ARIN is at the forefront of this effort through the Locally-led Adaptation Metrics for Africa (LAMA) project.  This initiative seeks to co-create adaptation indicators and measurement frameworks with communities, ensuring they are locally relevant, inclusive, and impactful. By integrating community-driven insights with standardized metrics, LAMA is setting a precedent for meaningful and scalable adaptation assessment.

Participants during the gallery walk showing different project highlights and achievements

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) 

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) are essential for ensuring that adaptation efforts recognize and address the needs of all community members. The workshop called for a shift from traditional quantitative GESI indicators to more nuanced, qualitative approaches that capture lived experiences, aspirations, and contributions of diverse groups. This shift is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity, as diverse perspectives lead to more innovative and inclusive solutions

To strengthen this commitment, participants formed a GESI working group dedicated to embedding gender-responsive and socially inclusive practices across adaptation projects. Storytelling was also highlighted as a powerful tool for advocacy and knowledge sharing, helping to document and inspire broader adoption of best practices. By centering GESI principles in adaptation strategies, the workshop reinforced the message that true progress is only possible when no one is left behind.

Empowering Local Voices to Drive Global Climate Policies for Effective Adaptation Action

Empowering local voices in climate adaptation ensures that adaptation efforts are relevant, effective, and sustainable. Local communities possess deep, context-specific knowledge of their vulnerabilities and needs, making their insights invaluable for designing solutions that truly reflect on-the-ground realities. Integrating their perspectives into global climate policies enhances inclusivity and impact, bridging the gap between high-level commitments and practical implementation that truly address their realities. 

The workshop underscored the importance of engaging policymakers at all levels to scale up these efforts. Participants shared examples of how gender equality and financial inclusion have successfully been included into adaptation policies, as well as how Southern-led perspectives are increasingly shaping global frameworks like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

Despite challenges such as slow policy processes and complex international agreements, participants emphasized the need for targeted interventions to accelerate progress. Strengthening policy dialogues, fostering cross-sector collaborations, and ensuring that global commitments are translated into locally adaptable, action-oriented solutions were identified as key strategies. By reinforcing the connection between global frameworks and local realities, these efforts contribute to more equitable, effective, and scalable climate adaptation initiatives. 

Ethics in Knowledge Brokering

Ethical knowledge brokering is essential for fostering open communication ensuring equitable access to information and empowering all stakeholders in climate adaptation efforts. Upholding ethical principles safeguards against misuse of knowledge, promotes responsible decision-making and maximizing the positive impact of knowledge sharing. The workshop emphasized the importance of building respectful, inclusive, and transparent relationships with stakeholders.

 Participants stressed that ethical knowledge sharing should not be limited to dissemination, but rather a two-way process that values local expertise and ensures that marginalized communities have a voice in shaping adaptation strategies. By openly sharing lessons, and experiences, adaptation practitioners can establish best practices for ethical knowledge brokering, ensuring that marginalized communities are not left out of adaptation efforts. Prioritizing fairness and equity in knowledge sharing and application lays the foundation for more effective and just climate action

World café discussions on ethics and knowledge brokering

Innovation and Technology in Adaptation

Technological advancements are transforming how communities and governments understand climate risks, design targeted interventions, and build resilience. Technology and innovation were highlighted as critical enablers for effective adaptation. Participants explored how digital tools and innovative approaches can be used to engage diverse groups, including youth and marginalized communities. 

However, it was noted that technology must be contextualized to local realities to ensure accessibility and relevance. The integration of technology with traditional knowledge systems was emphasized as a pathway to more inclusive and sustainable adaptation solutions.   

Key Next Steps for Collaborative Action

The learning review workshop provided a dynamic space for reflection, knowledge exchange and collaboration, highlighting the initiative’s progress and shaping the path forward. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative climate adaptation by strengthening cross-project synergies and fostering deeper knowledge sharing networks. A key focus emerged of prioritizing gender equality, social inclusion, and policy advocacy to ensure equitable and inclusive. While challenges exist, the workshop underscored the potential for innovation and collective impact in climate adaptation. By building on these insights and fostering collaborative actions, we can drive adaptation efforts that are not only effective but also sustainable, inclusive, and resilient for all.