Actions to Combat Climate Threats in Nigeria (ACCT)

Project Summary: Actions to Combat Climate Threats (ACCT) in Nigeria 

Background 

The Actions to Combat Climate Threats (ACCT) Project was implemented in Nigeria with funding from Christian Aid and executed by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP). The project focused on building the resilience of women and vulnerable groups in local communities to the impacts of climate change, particularly in the agriculture and energy sectors. The intervention was carried out across Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States. 

The project promoted sustainable agricultural practices, improved access to clean energy, and empowered marginalized groups to take ownership of their development through advocacy and capacity-building initiatives. 

Goal 

To enhance food security and livelihood opportunities for women and vulnerable populations affected by the severe impacts of climate-related shocks and stresses. 

Objectives 

1. Promote climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder women farmers and other vulnerable groups in local communities by 2025. 

1. Improve access to clean and sustainable energy for women and other vulnerable groups in local communities by 2025. 

1. Build the capacity of women’s groups and civil society organizations to advocate for increased investment in climate change adaptation by relevant government agencies. 

Key Stakeholders and Advocates 

The project engaged a broad range of stakeholders and advocates for change, including: 

• Women’s groups 

• Youth groups 

• Civil society organizations 

• Associations of persons with disabilities 

• Traditional and religious leaders 

Implementing Partners and Institutions 

Implementation was carried out in collaboration with: 

• Relevant government agencies (Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Power, Women Affairs, Youth, etc.) 

• Rural Electrification Agency 

• Disability Commissions 

• Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) 

• Vocational Skills Agencies 

• Civil society organizations 

• Commercial and micro-credit institutions 

Key Activities 

• Stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue 

• Establishment of climate-smart early warning systems for rural farmers 

• Capacity building on clean and sustainable energy alternatives 

• Promotion of climate-smart agriculture 

• Training on organic fertilizer and pesticide production 

• Distribution of climate-resilient seeds 

• Establishment of aquaponic and hydroponic farms 

• Hosting of a Climate Conference of Stakeholders 

• Creation of Climate Incubation Hubs in the three target states 

• Research and publication of localized climate-smart innovations 

• Advocacy training for CSOs, women’s groups, and persons with disabilities 

• Impact evaluation and knowledge management workshops 

Key Achievements 

• Promoted climate-smart agriculture, clean energy access, and advocacy among women and persons with disabilities. 

• Established early warning systems and conducted training on organic pesticide and fertilizer production. 

• Distributed climate-resilient seeds to smallholder farmers. 

• Set up aquaponic and hydroponic farms, which improved the livelihoods of women whose aquatic farming had been disrupted by climate change and environmental degradation. 

• A notable success story is Jacinta, a person with albinism, who founded NEEM Organic after receiving training through the project. Her business now produces eco-friendly fertilizers and pesticides, contributing to sustainable agriculture and climate action. 

• Reached over 5,000 direct beneficiaries and over 15,000 indirect beneficiaries across the three states.