Community Resilience Partnership Program for climate vulnerable communities in Asia-Pacific

CHALLENGE

Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, deepening poverty and gender inequality. Women and girls face distinct challenges, and local adaptation efforts lack sufficient, long-term, and accessible financing.

SOLUTION

The Community Resilience Partnership Program (CRPP) strengthens resilience in climate-vulnerable Asia-Pacific communities by funding community-driven projects that link adaptation, poverty reduction, and women’s empowerment.

Overview

Managed by the Asian Development Bank through the Community Resilience Financing Partnership Facility (CRFPF), the Community Resilience Partnership Program (CRPP) supports inclusive, locally led solutions that address the root causes of vulnerability. Eight projects are currently being implemented across countries such as Lao PDR, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste, covering areas from social protection and green finance to livelihoods and infrastructure. The program also helps governments develop supportive policies and foster participatory decision-making processes.

A key feature of CRPP is its annual Partnership Forum, which brings together governments, development partners, and civil society organizations to share knowledge, showcase innovative practices, and guide future strategies. By scaling successful projects, mobilizing additional funding, and deepening partnerships, CRPP aims to empower communities and promote a more resilient, equitable Asia-Pacific region.

Details

CRPP: Building climate resilience together

The Asia-Pacific region urgently needs increased investment in community-level climate adaptation.  Climate change disproportionately impacts poor and vulnerable communities, exacerbating existing inequalities and requiring targeted resilience-building efforts. Women and girls, often affected differently due to pre-existing gender disparities, require specific support to empower them in climate resilience actions. While local climate adaptation requires long-term, locally responsive financing, such funding is currently limited.  Addressing these challenges demands scaled-up, locally led adaptation investments that address the root causes of vulnerability. The Community Resilience Partnership Program (CRPP) was created to meet this need, strengthening climate resilience in vulnerable Asia-Pacific communities.  CRPP, managed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the Community Resilience Financing Partnership Facility (CRFPF), supports community-driven projects. The CRFPF mobilizes public investment in poverty reduction that aids community-led adaptation, develops supporting policies and programs, and promotes the participation of low-income women and men in decision-making.

Projects on the ground: Implementing change through the CRFPF

Several projects are currently underway through the CRFPF, demonstrating the practical application of its goals. These projects span diverse geographical and thematic areas, all contributing to enhanced community resilience. Since 2023, eight projects have been initiated, including initiatives focused on developing inclusive and resilient social protection systems across Asia and the Pacific, as well as projects directly supporting CRPP’s operationalization. Other projects address specific country contexts, such as building resilience and reducing rural poverty in Lao PDR, strengthening social resilience in Bangladesh, and establishing green and resilient financing mechanisms in Nepal. Further efforts in Nepal focus on climate-resilient landscapes and livelihoods. Projects in Timor-Leste focus on integrated nutrition and adaptive social protection, and rural resilience and livelihood improvement. These projects collectively target a wide range of beneficiaries, from vulnerable rural communities to those impacted by specific climate-related risks. Project activities vary, but commonly include infrastructure improvements, capacity building, livelihood diversification, and strengthening social safety nets. The scale of these projects ranges from local community-level interventions to broader regional programs.

Sharing knowledge and looking ahead: The future of CRPP

The CRPP Partnership Forum is an annual event that serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among CRPP stakeholders. Held in 2023 and 2024, the forum brings together government representatives, community members, experts, and NGO personnel. The primary objectives of the forum include disseminating information about CRPP’s progress, achievements, and challenges; strengthening relationships and networks among stakeholders; and shaping the future direction and strategy of CRPP. Discussions at the forum often focus on the role of communities in climate action and the importance of partnerships. Looking ahead, CRPP aims to expand its reach and impact by scaling up successful projects, securing additional funding for the CRFPF, deepening partnerships with diverse stakeholders, and widely sharing lessons learned through the Partnership Forum and other channels. CRPP represents a vital effort to empower communities and build their resilience in the face of a changing climate. Its continued growth and evolution hold significant promise for a more resilient future.

Acknowledgements

This article is based on publicly available information from the websites in the references section. We appreciate the efforts of organizations and researchers who have made this knowledge accessible.