MAPUTO, Mozambique – The Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) was designed to provide solutions and access to climate finance for Mozambican local governments. Led by the Government of Mozambique and with technical support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), LoCAL has borne fruits and supported the fight against climate change.

UNCDF began designing the LoCAL Facility in Mozambique in 2014 and implementing it in 2015, in four districts in Gaza Province with Belgian support.

“Although small at the beginning, [LoCAL] grew as all donors became interested in the system and methodology; (…) And it was very successful”, said Claudine Aelvoet, Head of Development Cooperation at the Belgian Diplomatic Mission in Mozambique.

Since then, with generous support from Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, the European Union and the Region of Catalonia, around 100 adaptive development infrastructures have been financed in 54 of the 154 districts in Mozambique during the implementation of the LoCAL Facility, with funds of some US$ 25M.

To date, LoCAL has directly benefited approximately three million people in the country - almost 10% of the Mozambican population.

Inclusive and participatory approach

The inclusive and participatory approach has been fundamental for the implementation of LoCAL in all districts, both in deciding on climate-resilient investments, as well as in integrating adaptation to climate change into planning and budgeting instruments.

For the former Head of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation in Mozambique, Laila Sheikh, “if a government wants to know what type of services its population needs, it will have to consult them”.

For Laila Sheikh, UNCDF's inclusive and participatory approach used in the LoCAL methodology is what makes it so attractive. “By consulting communities at the district level, we guarantee that everything that is decided is actually taken in a joint decision,” highlighted the former Head of Swiss Cooperation in Mozambique.

“What we discovered with UNCDF is that [the UN agency] is a very strong and a very competent partner,” commented Laila Sheikh.

Member of the local consultative council of the Machanga district, Sofala Province, one of the new districts covered by UNCDF with support of the European Union, discusses resilient investments in her community. Credit: UNCDF Mozambique

Strengthening the capacity of local governments

By strengthening the capacity of local governments, LoCAL improves the delivery of basic climate-resilient services to communities and enhances decision-making processes based on local knowledge.

This means providing training and technical assistance to governments so that communities can genuinely participate in planning, budgeting and other local governance processes.

To do this, LoCAL uses the bottom-up, gender-sensitive, participatory approach to challenges, which, through the use of local consultative councils, ensures essential buy-in from communities.

First, local communities are engaged in what they consider to be their greatest needs, then proposals are forwarded to local and then provincial administrations.

“With the support of the European Union and technical assistance from UNCDF, it is possible to reinforce the government's leadership role,” confirmed Antonino Maggiore, European Union Ambassador for Mozambique.

Before the inauguration of the new health clinic in Djodjo community in Panda district, Inhambane Province, community members had to walk more than 40km to access health services. Credit: UNCDF Mozambique

The European Union is a partner with UNCDF through a project that uses the LoCAL methodology in its activities around the country. In total, 18 Local Adaptation Plans were created in the Provinces of Nampula and Zambezia, covering all districts of the two provinces. Across Mozambique, there are 33 Local Adaptation Plans, including 30 financed by the European Union and all technically supported and carried out through the partnership between the Government of Mozambique and UNCDF.

“LoCAL is achieving this economic decentralization of management, of real planning,” said Álvaro García de Miguel, Representative of the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation.

“This is a great contribution to this great [climate change] challenge that Mozambique has been facing in recent times and will continue to face in the coming years,” continued the representative of the Catalonia Region.

Violeta e Pedro harvest vegetables in their field in Chivimbire, Zavala district in Inhambane Province. With support of LoCAL, community members now have access to resilient livelihoods. Credit: UNCDF Mozambique

“This is one way how we can make a difference”

Mozambique is severely affected by cyclical and prolonged droughts, interspersed with short periods of intense rain, strong winds and cyclones. Therefore, UNCDF activities are currently concentrated in the districts most affected by the effects of climate change in the country.

The recurrence of extreme climate shocks in shorter cycles challenges local governments' efforts to reduce vulnerability and requires stronger action and prioritization of investments in resilience and adaptation to climate change.

This demand for action forms the basis of UNCDF's rationale for promoting adaptation to climate change to build resilient communities and their economies in Mozambique.

“Given that local capacities to deal with the current and growing threats of climate change are still fragile in many parts of Mozambique, we are planning to continue the support LoCAL to facilitate an expansion to other remote districts, particularly those located in the northern part of Mozambique,” highlighted Mette Sunnergren, Ambassador of Sweden to Mozambique.

“We are proud of the results achieved so far by the Swedish-supported LoCAL; this is one way how we can make a difference,” continued Ambassador Mette Sunnergren.

More than 1,000 students now attend the new Manjangue secondary school in Chokwe district, Gaza Province, thanks to the generous support of the government of Sweden through the LoCAL Facility. Credit: UNCDF Mozambique

“UNCDF appreciates Mozambique-based development partners and their contribution to LoCAL, which is basically a recognition of the additional value of local governments in promoting locally-led adaptation,” said Ramon Cervera, UNCDF Representative in Mozambique.

UNCDF works through the Government and government structures. Therefore, “the success achieved so far is a huge recognition of the role of Mozambique’s decentralized governance systems and processes in providing local adaptation,” concluded Ramon Cervera.

The UNCDF in Mozambique works for a more resilient planet and society that leaves no one behind. Actions are being taken across the country to ensure a resilient future for all.

Find out more about LoCAL here

Sign up to our newsletter