AUTHORS Wayne Shand, Senior Associate, InternationalInstitute for Environment and Development Tim Ndezi, Director, Center for CommunityInitiatives, Tanzania DISCLAIMER This work is a product of The World Bankwith external contributions. The findings,interpretations, and conclusions expressed inthis work do not necessarily reflect the viewsof The World Bank, its Board of ExecutiveDirectors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee theaccuracy of the data included in this work. Theboundaries, colors, denominations, and otherinformation shown on any map in this workdo not imply any judgment on the part of TheWorld Bank concerning the legal status of anyterritory or the endorsement or acceptance ofsuch boundaries. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS The material in this work is subject tocopyright. Because The World Bank encouragesthe dissemination of its knowledge, this workmay be reproduced, in whole or in part, for non-commercial purposes as long as full attributionto this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, includingsubsidiary rights, should be addressed to WorldBank Publications, The World Bank Group,1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA;fax: +1 (202) 522-2422;email: pubrights@worldbank.org. CITATION Shand, W. and Ndezi, T. 2025. Community-ledClimate Adaptation in Informal Settlements.World Bank. Washington DC. Community-LedClimate Adaptation in Informal Settlements Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Swati Sachdeva (task teamleader of the study), Dani Harake, Ibrahim Ali Khan and ElhamShabat of the World Bank for their support and guidancethrough this project. We would also like to thank the leadersand members of the Tanzania Federation of the Urban Poor(TFUP) for generously giving their time and insights that havebeen so valuable for this report. We appreciate the supportprovided by the representatives of Vingunguti and Kinondonilocal authorities in conducting the participatory researchin Dar es Salaam and providing important backgroundinformation for the study. Also, we thank Mussa Raido,Prudensiana Luckago, Given Patrick, and the staff of theCenter for Community Initiatives for their excellent work inleading the data collection process and drafting the countryreport that forms the basis for the Spotlight sections withinthis report. We would also like to thank the peer reviewers, Augustin Maria,Chandan Deuskar and Apoorva Shenvi from World Bank andAnna Walnycki at IIED for their useful feedback and comments.We are also very grateful to John Morton, Emily Owen andNyambiri Kimacha from World Bank Tanzania country officeand DMDP team for their immense support, guidance andfeedback on the report. Thanks to Siobhan McCann of IIEDfor her support in the management and administration of theproject. We also appreciated the time given by Phoram Shah,Ko Takeuchi and Joanna McLean Masic at the World Bank toshare their knowledge and experience of project delivery. Finally, we are grateful to Angelica Nunez del Campo for herguidance and support throughout the project. We also thankMaitreyi Das for her leadership during the early stages ofthe report generation. Additionally, we extend our thanks toKaren Schneider for editing the report and Takayo Fredericksfor designing the report. Lastly, we are grateful to GPRBA forfunding this study. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summaryix 1Introduction 2Urban Informal Settlements and Climate Change4Spotlight 115 3Community-Led Adaptation to Climate Change18Spotlight 229 4Finance for Community-led Climate Adaptation32Spotlight 341 5Putting Community-led Adaptation into Practice44Spotlight 452 Abbreviations ACCAAsian Coalition for Community ActionACHRAsian Coalition for Housing RightsCBACommunity-based adaptationCBOCommunity-based organizationCCICenter for Community InitiativesDMDPDar es Salaam Metropolitan Development ProjectGCAGlobal Commission on AdaptationIPCCIntergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeKISIPKenya Informal Settlements Improvement ProjectLLALocal-level adaptationLMICLow- and middle-income countryMHTMahila Housing TrustMSMEMicro, small, and medium-sized enterprisesNGONongovernmental organizationPSUPParticipatory Slum Upgrading ProgramRBFResults-based financingSECSettlement executive committeeSDISlum Dwellers InternationalSPASpecial planning areaTFUPTanzanian Federation for the Urban PoorWASHWater, sanitation, and hygiene Executive Summary Purpose and Audience This report examines the role of community-led climateadaptation in enhancing the inclusiveness, resilience, andsustainability of cities, focusing on rapidly growing informalsettlements. The report is intended to inform the thinking ofgovernments, donors, and World Bank staff in shaping urbanprogram design. The evidence and case studies included inthis report show how more inclusive approaches to urbanadaptation are possible. By connecting strategic investment ininfrastructure, driven by national and city governments, withmobilized grassro