Climate Finance

COP 30: Food Systems Elevated but Little Progress on Agriculture Negotiations

It’s been two months since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) at the Hangar Convention Centre in Belém, Brazil. Expectations had been high ahead of COP 30, as the Brazilian Presidency had positioned food and agriculture as one of the six axes of its Action Agenda and a priority area of investment in the Baku-to-Belem Roadmap. Despite the recognition and increased elevation of food systems during COP, the Global Mutirão - one key text within the Belém Package agreed to by all 195 participating countries - contained no reference to agriculture or food systems.

Grassroots Livelihoods Strengthened through the Next Level Grant Facility

After years of advocacy, Lamu Women Alliance (LAWA) and the community of Lamu are now taking their climate justice efforts to the next level, focusing on livelihood-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This new shift was made possible through funding from the Next Level Grant Facility (NLGF) by the Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) programme, with LAWA recommending six active community groups for support.

Africa Climate Summit: moving from victimhood to climate justice

The 2025 Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa focused on accelerating global climate solutions. Since the first edition in Nairobi in 2023, the narrative has shifted. The story of the continent is no longer one of victimhood. This year, Africa showed it can be an active player, investor, contributor and leader in innovation towards global climate solutions. However, the elephant in the room remains: unlocking climate finance and a green agenda that truly caters for the needs of the African population.

Getting to know our Paraguayan partners

In September, a first series of videos was launched to showcase the work of our local partners in Paraguay and tell their stories from the territories where they work. These audiovisual pieces bring together the experiences of organisations and actors involved in environmental protection and climate change resilience.

Celebrating Impact and Sustaining Climate Justice and Action in Zambia Beyond 2025

As the VCA programme in Zambia and globally draws to a close, stakeholders gathered in Chilanga, Zambia, for a three-day close-out meeting to reflect on achievements, celebrate milestones, and chart the way forward for climate justice beyond 2025.

Amplifying Community Voices in Kenya

In Kenya’s Narok, Nakuru, Lamu, and Marsabit Counties, communities are not just responding to climate change, they’re shaping the solutions. Through the Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) program, local institutions and marginalised groups have been empowered to lead climate adaptation efforts that reflect their lived realities and priorities.

ACDD at COP16: Advocating for Sustainable Land Management in North Africa

From December 2 to 13, 2024, the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16-UNCCD) convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the slogan “Our land, our future.” As the first COP held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the event brought together over 20,000 participants from 170 countries, including 3,500 representatives from civil society organisations.

Lessons from implementing the VCA’s Next Level Grants Facility (NLGF)

Fostering local ownership, responding to climate emergencies and co-creating local solutions through bridging climate finance at the local level

Building Climate Resilience through CDF

In the heart of Mazabuka, where agriculture and fishing sustain livelihoods, a quiet transformation is taking root. Through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), local communities are discovering new pathways to economic empowerment while championing environmental conservation.

Women leading the way in climate resilience and sustainability

When women thrive, our planet thrives, too. Through the Women Inclusion in Climate Justice project with the support of Akina Mama wa Afrika under the VCA programme, Lamu Women Alliance has enabled women in Lamu to embrace sustainable business that not only uplifts their families but also champions climate justice. By fostering these innovations and eco-friendly practices, these women are leading change towards a greener future.