The first in-person workshop on community-led research design concerning loss and damage (L&D) resulting of climate change took place in Nakuru, Kenya, from 28 August to 2 September 2023. The event brought together six social movements, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, and grassroots groups from Colombia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. It focused on developing research strategies, understanding human rights perspectives, and fostering community resilience.
The second community-led research project, explores and amplifys communities’ perspectives on losses and damages resulting from climate change, particularly non-economic losses. This initiative will provide learning space and support for six social movements and grassroots groups to gather the data and evidence to counter losses and damages resulting from climate change. Photo @ESCR-Net.
- This was the first workshop of an 18-month process in which the participating groups will undertake a comprehensive approach that includes identifying research questions, developing methodologies and tools, conducting field research, analyzing data, and developing advocacy strategies and outputs relevant to community struggles.
- During the 5-day workshop, participating groups were introduced to different methodologies.
- The research is guided by a diverse advisory group of members with experience in community-led research.
- Participants were introduced to various research methods, including community-led surveys, collective storytelling, and community mapping, through hands-on sessions that provided practical skills and insights.
- In the picture, one group is representing the impact of climate change in their community using the Theater of the Oppressed technique.
- Another group presenting a body map of the impact of loss and damage resulting the climate change to the individuals and communities.
- Each participating group will develop specific, context-relevant research questions and methods aligned with their advocacy or campaign goals.
- Participants of the Community-led research project on loss and damage during the solidarity visit to the Endorois' ancestral home in Lake Bogoria.
- Endorois elders chatting in their ancestral land in Lake Bogoria, Kenya. After 14 years, the Kenyan government continues to deny the Endorois people's return to their ancestral home and reparations for their forced eviction, as recognized by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
- For the Endorois, the land around Lake Bogoria is their ancestral home which provided them green pasture, ample clean drinking water, medicinal salt licks for their cattle, traditional herbal medicines, practiced bee-keeping activities and where they performed important rituals and ceremonies such as circumcisions, burials, children's naming ceremonies and other rituals related to their ancestors.
- Participants of the Community-led research project on loss and damage during the solidarity visit to the Endorois' ancestral home in Lake Bogoria, Kenya, in September 2023.
- Participants of the Community-led research project on loss and damage during the solidarity visit to the Endorois' ancestral home in Lake Bogoria, Kenya, in September 2023.
