Climate finance has become a crucial pillar in the global fight against climate change. From mitigation projects to adaptation efforts, financial flows are critical in determining who gets supported, how resilience is built, and which communities can thrive amid climate shocks. However, one key stakeholder group often remains marginalised in these discussions: grassroots communities.
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Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), under the VCA programme, successfully conducted a transformative media training workshop in May 2025, Mazabuka, Zambia, aimed at strengthening the capacity of local journalists, storytellers, and communicators in Climate Action, Advocacy, and Justice Storytelling and Reporting. The initiative, which culminated in a powerful story harvesting exercise in the communities of Mwanachingwala and Nacipoma, sought to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to translate complex climate data into accessible, locally grounded narratives that catalyse change.
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Witness the power of local communities leading the way to a sustainable future. These three compelling documentaries from Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) take you to the heart of Zambia, showcasing grassroots innovations and resilience in the face of climate change.
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For over 17 years, residents of Musaya Ward in Chirundu District have endured an ongoing battle against water scarcity. The devastating floods of 2008-2009 not only displaced over 102,000 families across Zambia but also destroyed critical infrastructure in Musaya, including the Zemba Zemba Dam. Once a lifeline for agriculture, fishing, and household needs, the dam’s collapse left the community reliant on a single borehole, which produced unsafe water suspected of containing heavy metals.
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The VCA Project Profiles are now available as individual publications by country. These publications highlight various innovative, locally-driven climate action initiatives implemented by VCA local partners.
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Grassroots communities are increasingly recognised as critical stakeholders in the fight against climate change. Their unique insights into local ecosystems and their capacity for collective action make them valuable contributors to climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. A community-to-community exchange programme between the Kanayama Women's Federation and the Katondwe Alliance of Women has demonstrated how community linkages can significantly enhance grassroots climate action.
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Organisations and communities mobilising local knowledge and strengthening climate action.
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In the heart of Zambia, grassroots women’s groups are leading the charge toward sustainable community development. Through a unique exchange programme, the Katondwe Alliance of Women (KAW) and the Kanyama Women’s Federation have come together to share knowledge and innovative practices, transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for growth.
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Welcome to the October 2024, COP 29 edition of the VCA newsletter. This edition highlights our Global Programme's preparations for COP 29 and the online events focusing on strengthening local voices, global climate advocacy, and a position paper on the importance of including local voices at the global decision-making level.
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The global fight against climate change is gaining momentum, and at its forefront are grassroots movements, small communities, and informal networks, especially in countries vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.
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