CBA19: Local solutions inspiring global action

CBA19 is now sold out to the general public! If you have already requested a ticket but you haven't yet registered for the conference, please email us asap at cbaconference@iied.org with your enquiry.

The 19th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA19) will take place from 12-16 May 2025 in Recife, Brazil.

CBA is a space for the adaptation community to share learning on community-based and locally led adaptation systems, and to explore how to put the principles for locally led adaptation (LLA) into practice, recognising the complexities, innovations and challenges that must be overcome.

CBA19 will ask the overarching question: how can we achieve just and equitable adaptation?

Nested under this question conference sessions will focus on three themes:

• LLA in action (how to move from principles to practice, at scale, highlighting best practice and emerging innovations and challenges)
• Urban adaptation (achieving just and equitable adaptation that meets the needs of all urban dwellers, including issues around informality, infrastructure and health), and
• Nature/adaptation (highlighting the interconnections between nature and climate and the importance of local and Indigenous knowledge and practices in achieving just and equitable adaptation).

Gender justice, anti-racist and decolonial approaches cut across all conference themes.

The conference will welcome participants from local community organisations, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, NGOs, research institutes, governments, foundations and multilateral agencies come together over five days to share, learn and evolve understanding of best practice on locally led adaptation.

With a focus on acquiring new skills, sharing experiences and connecting with peers, CBA19 will offer discussion, debate, peer-to-peer ‘skill-shares’ and knowledge exchange, through an innovative, dynamic and interactive space. CBA is the home for connections between local and global climate action.

To find out more about what you can expect from the conference agenda go to the CBA19 webpage and sign up to receive email updates. Information on the venue and local area, schedules, travel, accommodation and more can be found in the conference information pack.

Tickets

In order to cover the costs and offer sponsorships to local practitioners from across the world CBA is a ticketed event. Please read details below to see which ticket is right for your organisation.

Tier 1: Global and strategic actors (£550)

These are institutions that operate at an international or national policy level, influencing policy, funding, and global adaptation strategies. These organisations work at international or national level and typically fund tier 2 and tier 3 organisations, research or provide expertise rather than directly implementing local projects.

This includes organisations like:

• Multilateral and bilateral funders
• International NGOs
• Think tanks, universities and policy research institutions
• Climate and adaptation consultants
• Global North government agencies funding and/or influencing beyond domestic scope, or
• Private sector actors.
  

Tier 2: National and bridging actors (£275)

For organisations that act as connectors between global strategies and local action. These organisations work at a national or county level, facilitating the implementation of climate policies or projects and help translate funding, research, and strategies into practical adaptation action.

This tier includes organisations like:

• National and local NGOs
• Global South government agencies working on domestic climate adaptation
• Global South universities and research institutions

If you work for the country office of a large international NGO, please select your tier based on the level of financial and decision-making autonomy of your office:

Tier 2: National and bridging actors – If you are a representative in a country office operating with its own budget, managing local partnerships, and amplifying national and local voices into global forums

Tier 1: Global and strategic actors – If you are a representative in a head/main office receiving or providing funding and technical support to country offices and local partners.

CBA conferences recognise the importance of giving agency and voice to the most climate-vulnerable communities to discuss their adaptation priorities at the local level. The conferences are grounded in principles of equity and inclusion, bringing together local practitioners to share their lived experiences and knowledge of adaptation. If you are unsure of which tier you fall into, we encourage you to choose the higher tier to help support grassroots participation in the conference.

Tier 3: Local and implementing actors (£25)

This tier represents organisations and communities leading adaptation on the ground, embodying the locally-led adaptation principles. Their work is direct, place-based, and rooted in local knowledge and priorities.

This tier includes organisations like:

• Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)
• Indigenous Peoples' organisations
• Grassroots networks and social movements
• Local civil society organisations
• Local government staff in least developed countries and small island developing states

IIED operates a sponsorship programme for CBA19 for those unable to cover the costs of attendance. Unfortunately the programme is now closed for this year, and all funds have already been allocated to applicants. Should this change we will update this page accordingly.

What's included?

All tickets include registration for the 4.5-day conference, which features 3.5 days of thematic sessions and one 'Dia Alternativo'. Also included are:

• Airport transfer to hotels
• Opportunity to join a local field visit
• Daily transfers between hotels and the CBA19 venue
• Daily lunch and morning/afternoon refreshments, and
• Interpretation in Spanish and Portuguese

Tickets do not cover travel to Recife, accommodation, visas, travel insurance or meals beyond those provided during the conference.

Group rates have been arranged for local accommodation, ground transportation will be provided, and support will be available for visa applications. More details can be found in the conference information pack.

How to register

Please have your payment information ready, and click the 'Get Tickets' box to choose your ticket type and complete your registration. Payments can be made by Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit and American Express credit cards.

After you have completed the registration and payment process, you will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite. Please keep this confirmation email for future reference.

Note: if you are purchasing tickets for a group you will need to complete the registration form for each attendee. In order to prepare for the questions in advance, we've created this document for reference only so you can see the questions you’ll need to answer in order to register others to CBA19 (if you are not able to access Google files please get in touch).

Please email us if you have any other queries regarding payment or any difficulties registering.

Sponsored places

CBA sponsored tickets focus on stakeholders who tend to be under-represented at global events. IIED operates a sponsorship programme for CBA19 for those unable to cover the costs of attendance. Unfortunately the programme is now closed for this year, and all funds have already been allocated to applicants. Should this change we will update this page accordingly.

Accessibility

CBA strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. We welcome and encourage participation from Deaf and disabled individuals.

For enquiries about accessibility for disabled participants or to request support, please contact Katherine Shepherd via cbaconference@iied.org as early as possible, but no later than one month before the event.

Subsidised Personal Assistant (PA) tickets are available for disabled participants. Please let us know if you require a PA ticket in the registration form or email Katherine Shepherd via cbaconference@iied.org.

Information on the venue and local area, venue accessibility, getting there, travel health and safety and an overview event itinerary can be found in the conference information pack.

Disclaimers

By purchasing a ticket to CBA19 you agree to the following:

1. All participants must ensure to have understood and followed the Brazil visa guidelines before travel. IIED is not responsible if you fail to follow the necessary requirements as stipulated by the immigration authorities. See full details in the conference information pack.
2. All participants are responsible for securing their own travel insurance.
3. IIED reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event or transfer it to another site if unforeseen circumstances warrant such action.
4. In the event that the conference cannot be held or is postponed due to events beyond the control of the organisers, or due to events which are not attributable to wrongful intent or gross negligence of the organisers, IIED cannot be held liable by delegates for any damages, costs or losses incurred, such as travel, accommodation, insurance, visa applications and other related costs. Under these circumstances IIED reserves the right to retain the ticket fee of the participant.
5. The event will be photographed and/or filmed on behalf of the organisers for display, distribution and broadcast, including on television and online. By attending or participating in this event you agree to give your consent to be photographed and/or filmed, and waive any claims regarding the use of your image or contribution.
6. By registering you agree to receive periodic emails from cbaconference@iied.org strictly related to important CBA event announcements. We will not share your information with any third parties but will continue to contact you after the event with future CBA announcements. You can opt out at any time.

Organising partners

CBA19 is co-hosted by the International Institute for Environment and Development and the state government of Pernambuco.

It is funded by IIED, the state government of Pernambuco, Climate Justice Resilience Fund, Gates Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and Quadrature Climate Foundation, with support from Adaptation Research Alliance, Fundación Avina, Habitat para a Humanidade Brasil, Institute for Climate and Society (iCS), Pawanka Fund, Gris Espaço Solidário, Rede Gera, Fase, Centro Sabiá, ABONG, Plataforma Semiáridos, Ibura Mais Cultura, Environmental Commission of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Somos Todos Muribeca, Caranguejo Uçá, Popular Observatory of Climate Injustices, and more.

Header image: Buildings and cars on a street in Recife, Brazil. (Credit: Denys via Unsplash)