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Newsletter, September

This week we explore COVID-19 recovery, youth inclusion in climate adaptation, urban change and lots more.

A woman wearing a mask and lab coat pours from a bottle, next to a blue bucket.

Addressing gendered and other inequalities will be central to COVID-19 recovery

In the latest in our series on lessons from the coronavirus pandemic, we look at how COVID-19 has increased gender inequality and the need to tackle multiple forms of disadvantage in the global South.

This article is part of an IIED series that brings together forward-looking responses on specific themes in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, drawing on our partners’ insights and providing a platform for voices from the global South.

Here, IIED researcher Alice Sverdlik looks at the impacts of the virus on women and girls.

A young man pushing a wheelbarrow full of branches along the side of a road.

Interview with Joshua Amponsem

What does the youth inclusion theme at CBA14 have in store?

Joshua Amponsem, founder of Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) - a Ghana-based youth-led advocacy group - is leading the youth track at next week’s 14th annual community-based adaption event (CBA14). These sessions will explore the question of how institutions can transform to take advantage of young people’s energy, creativity and knowledge in delivering local level adaptation.

Find out what the youth inclusion theme at CBA14 has in store.

"We need to shake off ideas that the climate problem can only be solved by scientists or politicians. If you open up the space to young people, you’ll see the ideas and solutions come flooding in."

– Joshua Amponsem

Blog by David Satterthwaite

How regional and national capital cities influence urban change

Cities have always been associated with centres of political power. Most of the world’s 100 largest cities in 2020 are capitals. Most have been important cities for centuries. David Satterthwaite discusses how building government institutions in capital cities contributes to urban change.

Read the blog.

A woman cutting a branch with a machete.

News

What’s needed to halt threats to rural land rights in Cameroon

A new briefing explores the gap between statuary and customary land tenure systems in Cameroon, and suggests ways to advance land reform so that the rights of all are protected.

Find out more.

A man wearing a face mask standing at a fruit stall.

Beyond COVID-19: grassroots visions of change

How COVID-19 is impacting and changing East Africa’s agri-food systems

In this report on emerging lessons from COVID-19, we look at the pandemic's complex impacts on East African food systems and highlight the need for an inclusive policy response working closely with informal providers.

Read the report.

Issue paper, 48 pages

Tackling the triple crisis: Using debt swaps to address debt, climate and nature loss post-COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has made developing country debt worse as its economic impact pushes millions more people in these countries into poverty. This paper shows how, as part of pandemic economic rescue packages, governments have an opportunity to address simultaneously the crises of debt, climate and biodiversity destruction through a new use of the system of debt for climate and nature programme swaps.

Download the issue paper.

Issue paper, 29 pages

What is effective climate adaptation? Case studies from the Least Developed Countries

This issue paper draws from experiences in the international dialogues and of LDC national practice to explore how the adaptation narrative is developing at both levels. It examines where they are aligned, and where they clash, in influencing adaptation scope and delivery. Some key lessons that we can learn from the LDC Group are highlighted.

Read the paper.

Disruptive resilience: an agenda for the new normal in cities of the global South.

Briefing papers

IIED briefings

Disruptive resilience: an agenda for the new normal in cities of the global South

Getting housing back onto the development agenda in the time of COVID-19

Can cooking solutions for refugees better serve gender dynamics?

The climate crisis: four ways evaluations can strengthen policymaking

Fiscal reforms to benefit Mozambique’s shrimp fisheries

Apply now

IIED jobs

We are advertising for a research consultant in our climate change research group and a senior coordinator in our human settlements research group.

Research consultant: apply by 18 September
Senior coordinator: apply by 27 September