Strengthening National and Local Policies through Locally Led Adaptation
On May 23, 2024, ENDA ENERGIE organized a decentralized consultation workshop in Fatick, bringing together various stakeholders to discuss Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) in Senegal. This event is part of the “Generating ambition for local action” project and brought together civil society organizations, local authorities, NGOs and technical and financial partners. The main objective of the workshop was to promote the LLA approach, which aims to strengthen the capacity of local communities to design and implement climate change adaptation strategies tailored to their specific needs.
Issa SARR, project manager at ENDA ENERGIE, underlined the importance of local commitment in the fight against climate change, highlighting the central role of communities in this process. Aïssatou Diouf, international advocacy and policy manager at ENDA ENERGIE, presented the ambitious objectives of the LLA project, aiming to empower local communities through specific and sustainable climate adaptation solutions. Representatives from different local communities shared their successes and challenges, inspiring participants with concrete examples of positive impact.
One of the key moments of the workshop was the session dedicated to defining a political influence strategy to integrate LLA principles into national and local policies. Participants also discussed the development of a local financing mechanism to support LLA initiatives, highlighting the importance of ensuring the long-term viability of projects. This discussion highlighted the need for strategic planning and equitable distribution of resources to avoid the concentration of initiatives in a single area.
At the end of the workshop, several significant results were achieved. Participants gained a better understanding of the objectives and implications of the project. They proposed working in synergy with other partners to strengthen the relevance of the projects. The discussions inspired other communities to adopt similar practices, and concrete recommendations were developed to integrate LLA principles into national and local policies. The discussions highlighted essential ideas such as preserving what already exists and the importance of thinking and acting locally.
The involvement of local communities and local authorities was recognized as essential. Local communities determine their priorities and submit these to partners, being in the best position to know their specific needs. ENDA ENERGIE and its partners will provide the necessary training and let local stakeholders decide on the actions to take. Raising awareness and capacity building will be at the heart of the actions implemented as part of the project.
Working in synergy with other partners is envisaged to increase the relevance of the projects. A duration of five years is considered appropriate for the project, as it allows for a balance between short-term actions and sustainable results. Although access to the Green Climate Fund is complex, the partners are determined to overcome these challenges. Local know-how is valued as much as scientific knowledge, and initiatives such as self-financing are encouraged to enable better management of funds by communities.
Finally, advocacy for greater involvement of local authorities is essential, as there is a lack of support for climate adaptation activities at the local level, with budgets often insufficient. Participants should be informed of next steps to ensure their continued involvement and strengthen collaboration for future activities.
