Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ALBATROSS (Advancing knowldge for Long-term Benefits and climate Adaptation ThRough hOlistic climate Services and nature-based Solutions)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-03-01 do 2025-08-31
ALBATROSS aims to accelerate climate adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa by advancing scientific knowledge and practical solutions through the integration of climate services and nature-based solutions (NbS). Its goal is to establish a robust and actionable framework that connects climate, ecosystems, and society, ensuring that adaptation measures are locally relevant, equitable, and effective in the long term.
To demonstrate and validate its approach, ALBATROSS establishes a Climate Resilience Development (CRD) Network, a transnational structure operating across seven hubs located in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and South Africa. The CRD Network expands the concept of Living Labs into a “living network”, integrating indigenous communities, research organisations, national weather services, civil society, and policymakers in a multi-level co-creation process.
The main objective of ALBATROSS is to operationalise this vision by improving the understanding of the complex dynamics between climate, ecosystems, and society, and by translating this knowledge into actionable tools and policies. The research activities include (i) the large-scale assessment of forecast skill; (ii) the development of hybrid statistical-dynamical predictions (from sub-seasonal to decadal); (iii) the co-development of community-driven climate services and tools for climate-resilient land and water management aligned with both existing and newly co-designed NbS initiatives; (iv) the improvement of early warning systems for key natural hazards in selected Hubs of the CRD Network v) the elaboration of guidelines and policy briefs to guide evidence-based climate action for decision makers; vi) the implementation of education, training, and awareness actions to enhance capacity building and societal uptake.
The general objective has been formulated into five specific objectives (SOs), designed to address the main gaps in knowledge, innovation, cooperation, and policy implementation for climate adaptation:
SO1: Enhance systemic knowledge of economic, social, and environmental climate impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
SO2: Improve availability, quality, accessibility, and uptake of actionable climate information.
SO3: Integrate nature-based solutions and Indigenous knowledge into adaptation plans and development priorities.
SO4: Incorporate environmental and human SDGs into climate adaptation policies.
SO5: Foster cross-sectoral dialogue to unlock legal, financial, technical, and institutional mechanisms for sustainable adaptation.
These specific objectives are translated into 21 tangible results, carefully designed to achieve the project’s goals.
To demonstrate and validate its approach, ALBATROSS establishes a Climate Resilience Development (CRD) Network, a transnational structure operating across seven hubs located in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and South Africa. The CRD Network expands the concept of Living Labs into a “living network”, integrating indigenous communities, research organisations, national weather services, civil society, and policymakers in a multi-level co-creation process.
The main objective of ALBATROSS is to operationalise this vision by improving the understanding of the complex dynamics between climate, ecosystems, and society, and by translating this knowledge into actionable tools and policies. The research activities include (i) the large-scale assessment of forecast skill; (ii) the development of hybrid statistical-dynamical predictions (from sub-seasonal to decadal); (iii) the co-development of community-driven climate services and tools for climate-resilient land and water management aligned with both existing and newly co-designed NbS initiatives; (iv) the improvement of early warning systems for key natural hazards in selected Hubs of the CRD Network v) the elaboration of guidelines and policy briefs to guide evidence-based climate action for decision makers; vi) the implementation of education, training, and awareness actions to enhance capacity building and societal uptake.
The general objective has been formulated into five specific objectives (SOs), designed to address the main gaps in knowledge, innovation, cooperation, and policy implementation for climate adaptation:
SO1: Enhance systemic knowledge of economic, social, and environmental climate impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
SO2: Improve availability, quality, accessibility, and uptake of actionable climate information.
SO3: Integrate nature-based solutions and Indigenous knowledge into adaptation plans and development priorities.
SO4: Incorporate environmental and human SDGs into climate adaptation policies.
SO5: Foster cross-sectoral dialogue to unlock legal, financial, technical, and institutional mechanisms for sustainable adaptation.
These specific objectives are translated into 21 tangible results, carefully designed to achieve the project’s goals.
During the first reporting period, ALBATROSS has successfully established the foundation for accelerating climate adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa through the creation of the Climate Resilience Development (CRD) Network and the co-design of innovative climate services (CS) and nature-based solutions (NbS). A total of 29 deliverables and 12 milestones have been achieved, marking substantial progress across all Work Packages and consolidating strong collaboration between African and European partners.
In synthesis, seven CRD Hubs have been established in five countries—Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Africa—each representing distinct climatic, ecological and socio-economic contexts. Together, they form an operational network of Living Labs that engage local communities, research institutions and policymakers in co-developing and testing context-specific adaptation solutions.
Across the Hubs, more than 530 multi-actor interviews and seven focus group discussions were conducted, leading to the production of the first Climate Resilient Development Pathways, which identify priority NbS, related ecosystem services, data needs, and barriers to implementation. This work has advanced scientific understanding of equitable NbS deployment and co-production practices in Sub-Saharan contexts.
During this period, the project has initiated the development of a portfolio of prototype climate services, aligned with the local adaptation needs identified by the CRD Network These services include: (i) a hybrid rainfall prediction system for East Africa, combining statistical and dynamical modelling approaches; (ii) multi-hazard early warning prototypes, integrating community-based observations and impact tables to make warnings more actionable; (iii) an impact-based forecasting system and a decision-support dashboard for land, water, and agricultural management.
In parallel, ALBATROSS has advanced the design of nature-based solutions addressing key adaptation challenges—such as mangrove restoration, sustainable agricultural practices, and urban ecosystem-based adaptation—linking these to the identified Climate Resilient Development Pathways.
The project also delivered the ALBATROSS Citizen Science Toolkit, accessible via voices4climate.org enabling participatory data collection. Work has advanced on the Needs-Based Adaptation Toolkit and the Policy Observatory, both conceived as integrated resources within the ALBATROSS portal to support decision-making and policy coherence.
Capacity-building and educational activities progressed through the design of the ALBATROSS Mentorship Programme, which will connect early/mid-career African scientists and practitioners with European and African experts during the next reporting period. In addition, the project successfully completed two SDG Olympiads, an educational initiative engaging African students and young professionals in developing creative, solution-oriented approaches to sustainability and climate adaptation challenges.
The project also laid the groundwork for policy engagement by delivering a comprehensive multi-level policy analysis across Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Africa, with findings informing future policy tools and briefs, and shared through international forums and stakeholder consultations.
Finally, ALBATROSS implemented its Communication and Dissemination Plan, launched its project website and social media channels, and produced a wide range of outreach materials—including newsletters, infographics and videos—to increase visibility and stakeholder engagement across Africa and Europe.
These achievements demonstrate significant progress towards the project’s ambition to co-create actionable, inclusive and sustainable climate adaptation pathways for Sub-Saharan Africa.
In synthesis, seven CRD Hubs have been established in five countries—Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Africa—each representing distinct climatic, ecological and socio-economic contexts. Together, they form an operational network of Living Labs that engage local communities, research institutions and policymakers in co-developing and testing context-specific adaptation solutions.
Across the Hubs, more than 530 multi-actor interviews and seven focus group discussions were conducted, leading to the production of the first Climate Resilient Development Pathways, which identify priority NbS, related ecosystem services, data needs, and barriers to implementation. This work has advanced scientific understanding of equitable NbS deployment and co-production practices in Sub-Saharan contexts.
During this period, the project has initiated the development of a portfolio of prototype climate services, aligned with the local adaptation needs identified by the CRD Network These services include: (i) a hybrid rainfall prediction system for East Africa, combining statistical and dynamical modelling approaches; (ii) multi-hazard early warning prototypes, integrating community-based observations and impact tables to make warnings more actionable; (iii) an impact-based forecasting system and a decision-support dashboard for land, water, and agricultural management.
In parallel, ALBATROSS has advanced the design of nature-based solutions addressing key adaptation challenges—such as mangrove restoration, sustainable agricultural practices, and urban ecosystem-based adaptation—linking these to the identified Climate Resilient Development Pathways.
The project also delivered the ALBATROSS Citizen Science Toolkit, accessible via voices4climate.org enabling participatory data collection. Work has advanced on the Needs-Based Adaptation Toolkit and the Policy Observatory, both conceived as integrated resources within the ALBATROSS portal to support decision-making and policy coherence.
Capacity-building and educational activities progressed through the design of the ALBATROSS Mentorship Programme, which will connect early/mid-career African scientists and practitioners with European and African experts during the next reporting period. In addition, the project successfully completed two SDG Olympiads, an educational initiative engaging African students and young professionals in developing creative, solution-oriented approaches to sustainability and climate adaptation challenges.
The project also laid the groundwork for policy engagement by delivering a comprehensive multi-level policy analysis across Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Africa, with findings informing future policy tools and briefs, and shared through international forums and stakeholder consultations.
Finally, ALBATROSS implemented its Communication and Dissemination Plan, launched its project website and social media channels, and produced a wide range of outreach materials—including newsletters, infographics and videos—to increase visibility and stakeholder engagement across Africa and Europe.
These achievements demonstrate significant progress towards the project’s ambition to co-create actionable, inclusive and sustainable climate adaptation pathways for Sub-Saharan Africa.
ALBATROSS is advancing the state of the art by integrating indigenous and local knowledge with advanced scientific expertise and climate services across Sub-Saharan Africa. Seven CRD Hubs were established as community-driven incubators, engaging over 680 stakeholders, including subsistence farmers, agro-pastoral groups, and women. Prototype climate services and adaptation solutions are being co-designed in participatory workshops. By integrating scientific knowledge, local expertise, and stakeholder engagement, ALBATROSS is creating innovative, transferable pathways to translate research into actionable policy and strengthen nature-based adaptation strategies guided by tailored climate information.