Community-based adaptation (CBA) projects are interventions whose primary objective is to improve the capacity of local communities to adapt to climate change. CARE's approach to CBA is people-centred. It focuses on empowering vulnerable people with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to effectively respond to the challenges posed by climate change. It is grounded in comprehensive analysis of vulnerability, which guides the identification of appropriate adaptation strategies for different groups based on their specific needs and priorities. The analysis includes men, women and marginalized groups in the community.

The goal of Community-based Adaptation is to build the resilience of individuals, households, communitiesand societies from the ground up. Action is based on local priorities and it starts with knowledge but also seeks to integrate scientific knowledge into decision-making processes. It operates at multiple levels and can be large scale, so long as communities remain at thecentre of planning and action. To be effective, adaptation efforts should be long-term,and must target the most vulnerable people and empower them with information,resources and opportunities for action.

From CARE's perspective, CBA involves four interrelated strategies:

- Reducing the Risk of Climate-Related Disasters: We need to address disasters because we know that many natural hazards will become more frequent and more intense due to factors such as an increase in ocean temperatures. CARE activities focus on reducing risks BEFORE (early warning systems), DURING (shelter improvement) and AFTER (food and seed banks) natural hazards to reduce disasters and minimize long-term consequences

- Building Climate-Resilient Livelihoods: We emphasis longer-term resilience. We aim to address chronic changes which bring on more slow-onset impacts (such as chaotic rainfall patterns). We do this by focusing on: 1) Rejuvenation of traditional knowledge and 2) Diversification of income sources.

- Enhancing Local Capacity: We place an emphasis on: 1) Building partnerships with local government, NGOs and communities; 2) Integrating local experience into planning and decision-making processes; and 3) Capacity enhancement such as developing appropriate adaptation measures.

- Addressing Underlying Causes of Climate Vulnerability: This includes 1) The promotion of rights-based perspective and holistic approach to reduce the underlying causes of vulnerability to climate change; 2) Support of vulnerable sub-groups, such as poor women; and 3) The creation or influence for an enabling environment for effective action at individual, household, and community levels (through good governance, sound environmental stewardship, etc.) and improved social equity.

Recognizing the importance of an enabling environment for effective CBA, our strategy is not limited to promoting change at the local level. CARE's approach also endeavours to influence policies at regional, national and international levels with community-based experience.