Participating in the RECAP (Regional Enhancement for Climate Adaptation and Partnership) Capacity Building Program was more than simply attending a training; it was a reflective and enriching learning journey that strengthened my understanding of climate adaptation planning at the local level. I am sincerely grateful to PEEDA (People, Energy & Environment Development Association) for organizing and facilitating this four-day training on LAPA (Local Adaptation Plan of Action) and PACDR (Participatory Assessment of Climate & Disaster Risk), which provided practical, community-based insights and allowed me to see how theory connects with practice.
As an MSc graduate in Environmental Science and Management, currently working in the climate and resilience sector at Prakriti Resources Centre (PRC), this opportunity helped me understand how theoretical concepts of climate change and adaptation translate into meaningful local action.
The RECAP project is a two-year regional initiative implemented across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, with the objective of strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to collaboratively address climate change and build resilient communities. In Nepal, the training was organized by PEEDA and brought together participants from diverse organizations, including KIRDARC (Karnali Integrated rural development and Research Centre), PRC, Centre for Social Change, YAC ( Youth Acting for Change), UMN (United Mission to Nepal), WCN (Wildlife Conservation Nepal), LI-BIRD (Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development), and FIAN (Food First information and Action Network) Nepal. The presence of both field-level and desk-based professionals created a dynamic learning space where experiences, challenges, and perspectives from different contexts could be openly shared and collectively analyzed.
The training began with a strong foundation in basic climate science, including climate and weather, greenhouse gases, global warming, precipitation patterns, and their impacts. Scientific evidence such as how a 10 Parts Per Million (PPM) increase in carbon dioxide concentration can raise the Earth’s temperature by approximately 0.1°C helped ground discussions. We also reflected on Nepal’s paradoxical situation: despite contributing very little to global greenhouse gas emissions, the country remains highly vulnerable to climate impacts, underscoring the urgent need for localized adaptation planning.
As sessions progressed, we explored climate governance frameworks at national, international, and local levels, with a focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation. A key learning was understanding the Local Adaptation Plans for Action as a participatory and community-led framework that goes beyond technical tools such as the Local Disaster and Climate Resilience Framework (LDCRF), which primarily emphasize geographic information system-based risk mapping. “Through the Local Adaptation Plans for Action, adaptation planning becomes an inclusive, cyclic, and community-driven process, reinforcing the idea that it is not just a process but a continuous progress rooted in local knowledge and ownership.”
A major strength of the training was its emphasis on the Participatory Assessment of Climate and Disaster Risks and related participatory tools. We practiced group discussions, interviews, hazard and resource mapping, seasonal calendars, and timelines. An especially impactful exercise involved documenting lifetime hazard experiences using meta-cards and arranging them chronologically to identify trends. Climate impacts were analyzed across five interconnected dimensions; Natural, Social, Economic, Physical, and Human, highlighting that resilience depends on strong linkages among these systems. Adaptation options were developed using the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) framework and prioritized through a multi-criteria index, ensuring actions were practical, inclusive, and realistic.
From a professional perspective, this training significantly enhanced my capacity to support community-led assessments, facilitate participatory planning processes, and contribute to LAPA formulation and implementation. The tools and approaches gained can be directly applied in my ongoing work to support communities and institutions in identifying vulnerabilities, strengthening adaptive capacity, and linking local priorities with policies and climate finance mechanisms. More importantly, the experience clarified my career pathway within the climate and resilience sector positioning me not only as a technical professional but also as a facilitator who can bridge communities, institutions, and policy processes.
Overall, the RECAP capacity building program was a meaningful milestone in my professional journey. It reinforced my belief that effective climate adaptation must be grounded in participation, evidence, and long-term commitment. The learning gained will not only support my personal growth but also help build resilient livelihoods, reduce climate risks and promote sustainable local development in Nepal. The training has inspired me to ensure that approaches like Local Adaptation Plans for Action remains truly community driven, a challenge I am committed to addressing in my work with the communities I serve.
