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Provisional dates: 21-27 February 2010

Background
Community-based adaptation (CBA) recognizes that communities already possess much of the knowledge and skills required to cope with the expected impacts of climate change. Communities can often increase their resilience to climate stresses by building on their knowledge and skills. This is important in Africa, which is known to be particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Sharing experience and knowledge from pilot activities amongst practitioners, policymakers, researchers, funders and the communities at risk is essential. With this in mind, the Fourth International Conference on CBA builds on the strengths of the second and third International Conferences on CBA held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The forthcoming conference aims to share and consolidate the latest developments in CBA planning and practice in different sectors and countries in Africa. It will disseminate these lessons learnt at the workshop and through workshop proceedings. Ultimately the aim is to share knowledge and experiences to help those most vulnerable to climate change.

Conference Structure and Programme
The conference will consist of a two-day field visit to CBA projects in different parts of Tanzania, followed by three days of interactive discussions. These will be divided into thematic areas, which may include: understanding adaptation planning and practice from local to global levels; CBA practices in different sectors and ecosystems; and, education and building awareness for mainstreaming CBA.

Participation and Management
The workshop will be open to anyone interested in CBA, including policymakers, non-government organizations, research and policy institutes, those funding CBA initiatives, academics and community-based organizations. Of the 100 participants, at least 80 will be from outside Tanzania. Self-funded participants can apply to the organizers to attend, and will be charged a registration feeof £1000, which will cover all in-country costs. Participants (from developing countries only) requiring funding should send their abstract with a request for funding to the workshop organizers.

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) will act as lead contact for conference management issues. Environment Protection Management Services (EPMS) will manage all local logistics in Tanzania.

Further information
Please contact Saleemul Huq and Hannah Reid
Email: saleemul.huq@iied.org and hannah.reid@iied.org