{"id":39747,"date":"2021-06-14T15:26:08","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T14:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=39747"},"modified":"2021-06-14T15:57:08","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T14:57:08","slug":"turning-community-based-climate-adaptation-projects-into-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/event\/turning-community-based-climate-adaptation-projects-into-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning community-based climate adaptation projects into reality"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Do you have a great idea for a climate adaptation project, but don\u2019t know how to turn it into reality? Join the online Dragon\u2019s Den during CBA15<\/a> for expert guidance from IUCN NL and Global Resilience Partnership<\/a> on how to make a powerful investment pitch on June 15.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u2018During the Dragon\u2019s Den, participants work in teams to develop ideas for adaption projects, create supporting business plans and learn how to make powerful investment pitches,\u2019 says Jan Willem den Besten, Senior Expert Ecosystems & Climate at IUCN NL.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The sessions culminate in a competition-style plenary session where participants present their idea to a panel of people with investment experience. These \u2018dragons\u2019 (‘Dragons’ Den’ is the name a popular TV programme) assess the merits and viability of the pitches, seen through the eyes of investors. They offer feedback, give guidance on funding options \u2013 and pick a winner.

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), who hosts the Dragon\u2019s Den sessions at its 15th International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA15)<\/u><\/a>, interviewed last year\u2019s joint winner Juliet Grace Luwedde, who most impressed the dragons with her idea for a \u2018Climate Action Media Mobile Van\u2019 and its vision to build young peoples\u2019 understanding of climate change and inspire action in their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Mentors\u2019 support<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Juliet Grace Luwedde: \u2018I found the mentors\u2019 support particularly useful when preparing my pitch [for the dragons] – it was the first time I\u2019d ever done anything like this.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Luwedde got many comments during the various sessions: \u2018The comment that has stuck with me until now was during my pitch, when one of the dragons noted how relevant my idea was: we need to be communicating much more about climate issues in the media, so my idea for a media van idea was really timely.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Although Luwedde has not yet been able to secure funding for her van, she learnt that having people who listen to your idea and help you move it forward is also extremely valuable. \u2018The visibility I got was the biggest win for me. It gave me confidence in my work and in my idea, and inspired me to share more about the Climate Action Media Mobile Van with as many people as I could.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Why participate<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Are you thinking about participating? \u2018My advice to anyone thinking about entering the Dragons\u2019 Den? Do it! No idea is too small. You\u2019ll have thought about your idea for a long time, so you know it\u2019s got potential. Faith in it is all you need,\u2019 Luwedde concludes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The quotes from this article appeared in an original blog post by IIED and have been reproduced with permission. For the full interview, see:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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