Climate action takes a joint effort

A multi-year project in Eastern and South Africa has culminated in a collaboration among international faith-based organizations

In a world facing a global climate crisis, cooperation and local efforts are essential. PWRDF and other Canadian ACT Alliance members have worked together to support local climate action through the Locally Led Climate Fund (LLCF). Having succeeded in its initial phase, the LLCF is now set to expand its goals in the next phase. 

In 2020 and 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of global challenges, ACT Canada members met online, driven by a shared commitment to have a positive impact in the communities we serve. The pressing question: how could we best focus our collective efforts to make a meaningful difference? 

These discussions culminated in a two- day virtual roundtable on Climate and the Environment in Eastern and Southern Africa. Held in November 2021, following the COP26 summit in Glasgow, this roundtable marked the start of a collective effort to combat climate change in a region critically affected by its consequences. 

This ecumenical consultation was a significant milestone, drawing participants from Eastern and Southern Africa and Canada. This diverse group engaged in meaningful conversations about the gendered impacts of climate change, the role of local knowledge, and climate financing justice. The consultation underscored the unique position of churches and faith-based organizations in mobilizing communities. 

Insights from the gathering and subsequent consultations led to the creation of the LLCF. Canadian ACT members committed more than $275,000, with PWRDF contributing $100,000 to support climate justice initiatives in Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing on localization and community-driven approaches. The fund’s administration through the ACT secretariat was designed to ensure local decision-making and oversight, promoting collaboration and scalability. 

By November 2022, the ACT Secretariat released a call for project concepts. In its first year, the LLCF supported four project concepts in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The pilot phase concluded in April 2024, with progress in tree-planting in all countries:

• Ethiopia:  Training in natural resource management such as reforestation and soil conservation, which led to improved community awareness and collaboration with government stakeholders. 
• Kenya:  Village Savings and Loans Associations engaged in tree re-planting, crop farming, tree nursery development, agroforestry, and retail business as adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change challenges. 
• Uganda: Engaged influential faith leaders, including the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, who called for tree planting and plastic-free churches. 
• Zimbabwe: Launched an afforestation initiative, raising 600 tree seedlings and establishing a plantation of 100 gum trees and 250 fruit trees. 

Building on the achievements of the first phase, ACT Canada members have committed additional funds for a second phase of the LLCF, now totaling approximately $290,000. This phase aims to deepen engagement through a localized approach, strengthen the agency of local institutions, and ensure meaningful inclusion of young people in climate action. Phase Two will also expand to include West Africa. 

The journey of developing the LLCF is a demonstration of the power of working collectively, the importance of local solutions and actions, and the important role of faith-based organizations in
tackling climate change. Through this fund, ACT Alliance members have made real progress in helping local communities adapt to and reduce the effects of climate change.