Seeking Livelihood Adaptation through Communication for Development
Mario Acunzo
Research and Extension DivisionNatural Resources Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) require multi-stakeholders action, innovation and a process of social learning for adaptive livelihoods
Communication is a key for CCA and sustainable rural livelihoods
Communication for Development (ComDev)enables rural people and institutions to:
• assess and agree on needs and priorities • share relevant knowledge and information • foster multi-stakeholder dialogue and action
Communication approach to livelihood adaptation
Communication for Development in
Livelihood Adaptation
ComDev strategies support livelihood adaptation by:
facilitating equitable access to knowledge and information
promoting peoples’ participation and collaborative NRM
improving linkages between research, extension, advisory services and farmers for technology innovation/adaptation
enhancing community based adaptation processes and disaster risk management
bridging the gap between global early warning & information systems, local knowledge and communities
improving dialogue between institutions and farmers
ComDev in Livelihood Adaptation
Methodology
• Situation/problem assessment
• Participatory rural communication appraisal
• Participatory communication strategy and messages design
• Communication methods and materials development
• Implementation and monitoring of strategic, targeted communication interventions
• Evaluation of outcomes/impacts in terms of changes in attitudes, knowledge levels and practices
ComDev Strategies for Livelihood Adaptation
Main areas for communication support
• Technology innovation/adaptation
• Sustainable NRM
• Disaster risk management
• Livelihood options for adaptation
• Environmental/local governance
Rural Communication Strategies & Systems
ComDev Strategies for Livelihood Adaptation
Rural and Agricultural Development Communication Network- RADCON – Egypt
Rural communication services for agricultural development• Community level, with peoples’ participation in generating,
developing and sharing knowledge• Livelihoods perspective in the definition of solutions• Application of multi-media and new ICTs
Outcomes• Village facilitators trained in 50 rural villages • A network of research, extension workers & technicians, • Communication strategy to serve pilot areas• Virtual communication system and library to support village
facilitators and extension agents
ComDev in Livelihood Adaptation
Technology adaptation
Communication for NRM & Sustainable Agriculture -Bolivia
Rural communication system• CARENAS, a rural communication centre• SICORD, a rural communication network• Local Communication Plans for 11 municipalities
Outcomes• Communication services for municipalities & communities• Improved early warning systems, soil maintenance, river
control, sustainable NRM• Better coordination & participation in municipal development• Farmers access to information on NRM and agriculture• Proposal for institutionalization of communication services
ComDev in Livelihood Adaptation
Sustainable Natural Resources management
RR is the most pervasive, accessible & flexible medium
Participatory approach• Two-way process• Participatory needs assessments + analysis of perceptions,
expectations and commitments
Main results• Rapid dissemination of critical information to remote
audiences and early warning• weather, markets, crops and livestock production, natural
resources• Local generation of contents including traditional knowledge• Improved coordination and awareness
Rural radio in climate change adaptation• forecast & community based early warning • market information• livelihood options• local knowledge• community participation mobilization
ComDev in Livelihood Adaptation
Community participation - Rural Radio
Approach• Building on existing systems
• Ensure equitable access
• Promote local contents
• Use realistic technologies
• Ensure financial sustainability
• Build local capacities
Initiatives• Strengthening regional capacities (ComDev platforms)
• A comprehensive programme on communication for NRM, rural development and climate change
ComDev in Livelihood Adaptation
Livelihood approach to information and communication
Methodologies and toolsDevelopment and systematization of: methods, tools, best practices, and training materials on ComDev for CCA
Knowledge sharing and PartnershipsNetworking and partnerships for mainstream ComDev services ComDev Platforms
Support to field projectsCommunication Action Plans & Technical advise
• Congo• Bangladesh Support to CCA programme• Jamaica Communication in Disaster Risk Management & CCA• Bolivia & Central America• Near East
Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative - CSDI
Next steps
• Increased support to field projects through partnerships
• Develop and test ComDev model for CCA
• Systematize best practices for ComDev services for CCA
• Support knowledge networks/platforms on ComDev for CCA and a global virtual consultation
• Support to the International workshop on Community-Based Climate Change Adaptation (Dhakka, Feb 09)
• Global study on R/E/Communication systems and CCA
• Consolidate and expand the CSDI partnerships
• Multi-donor funding
