ACBF’s partnership with ICCASA demonstrates how investments in governance, leadership, and organizational capacity are expanding economic opportunities and strengthening climate resilience for communities across Africa.
Climate adaptation delivers its greatest impact when strong institutions connect policy, leadership, and community action. Across Africa, the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) is strengthening that connection through strategic investments that equip institutions with the systems, skills, and leadership required to address climate challenges while advancing inclusive development.
One example is ACBF’s partnership with the Institute of Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Agriculture (ICCASA) in Kenya. Through the Strengthening African Leadership for Climate Action (SALCA) initiative, ACBF has supported ICCASA’s transformation into a stronger institution capable of delivering inclusive climate solutions that reach women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable communities.
Achieving equitable and sustainable development in Africa necessitates addressing the critical challenge of climate change.
Mamadou Biteye
ACBF Executive Secretary
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to climate adaptation that places inclusion, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods at the center of development efforts.
ICCASA drives durable solutions across agriculture, biodiversity, health, and climate security. The nonprofit organization builds community resilience through a gender-transformative approach that advances inclusive climate adaptation across Africa.
Working with partners throughout the continent, ICCASA reduces gender inequalities and addresses structural barriers that limit equitable participation and resilience.
Strengthening Institutions for Lasting Impact
When ACBF began supporting ICCASA, the organization possessed strong technical expertise in climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture. Institutional systems required further development to support long-term growth, resource mobilization, and large-scale implementation.
SALCA focused on strengthening governance, organizational effectiveness, and leadership capacity. The initiative supported the establishment of a functioning Board, enhanced internal management systems, and strengthened strategic planning processes.
Staff received targeted training in resource mobilization, financial management, leadership, and institutional development.
The establishment and strengthening of ICCASA’s Board have significantly improved the organization’s governance, performance, and long-term sustainability, providing strategic oversight and contributing technical expertise that have supported resource mobilization and organizational growth.
Dr. Mary Nyasimi
ICCASA Executive Director
ACBF’s support also expanded ICCASA’s operational capacity through technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation systems, communications support, and resource mobilization expertise.
These investments created a stronger institutional foundation capable of attracting resources, managing programs effectively, and delivering measurable results.
Advancing Inclusive Climate Leadership
The partnership places social inclusion and gender equality at the heart of climate adaptation. ICCASA works to ensure that climate policies, programs, and investments reflect the needs and perspectives of groups that often face barriers to participation.
Programs such as Strengthening the Voices of Women with Disabilities (STREVOW) have expanded opportunities for women with disabilities to engage in climate policy discussions and community decision-making processes across Eastern Africa.
Additional initiatives, including #AllVoicesCount dialogues and the Empowering Climate and Gender Champions program, support broader participation and leadership development among women and young people.
Targeted training has also strengthened institutional practices within ICCASA.
ACBF’s training transformed my procurement approach. I now prioritize diversity, ensuring our decisions empower all.
John Ondieki
ICCASA Procurement Officer
Leadership development programs have enhanced proposal development and fundraising capacity, enabling the organization to secure new resources and expand its impact.
The training empowered ICCASA to navigate complex issues and secure crucial funding. Our recent proposal success story is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and capacity building.
Dr. Nyasimi
Creating Opportunities at Community Level
The impact of stronger institutions becomes most visible in the communities they serve.
In western Kenya, climate-smart agriculture initiatives supported through ICCASA are creating new income opportunities and strengthening household resilience.
Communities are adopting value-added agricultural models, including avocado processing and diversified production systems that connect smallholder farmers to market opportunities.
These interventions contribute to stronger household incomes, improved food security, and greater resilience to climate-related shocks.
I now sell avocados from my small farm and vegetables from my kitchen garden, and the 4,000 KES (US$31) I can earn in a good month helps me pay for my hospital visits and support my family with dignity.
Agnes Moraa
Nyamira County
I’m grateful for this project. I’m so positive about the results that will come after it.
Caroline Nyakundi
Nyamira County
These experiences demonstrate how institutional strengthening can translate into practical outcomes that improve livelihoods while supporting climate resilience.
A Growing Platform for Inclusive Climate Action
ICCASA continues to expand its work across climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, evidence-based policymaking, gender-responsive programming, and inclusive planning processes.
The organization’s growing portfolio reflects a stronger ability to design, implement, and scale initiatives that respond to Africa’s climate and development priorities.
Future efforts will focus on expanding inclusive climate adaptation planning, strengthening capacity-building programs, advancing research and data-driven decision-making, and scaling successful interventions that support vulnerable populations.
The partnership between ACBF and ICCASA demonstrates how investments in institutional capacity create a foundation for long-term climate resilience.
These efforts support Agenda 2063’s vision of inclusive and sustainable development while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 13 on Climate Action, and SDG 15 on Life on Land.
Strong governance, effective leadership, and inclusive systems enable organizations to deliver solutions that reach communities, strengthen livelihoods, and support sustainable development across Africa.
As climate challenges continue to shape development pathways across the continent, partnerships that combine institutional strengthening with inclusive action will remain essential to building resilient and prosperous societies.
Highlight Video
Launch of ICCASA’s Strategic Plan and Inauguration of New Office.
Launch of ICCASA's Strategic Plan
Launch of ICCASA's Strategic Plan
Launch of ICCASA's Strategic Plan and Inauguration of New Office
