Management of the Local Financing for Climate Change Adaptation – FILACC

Project description

The Local Financing for Climate Change Adaptation (FILACC) program has been a pioneering initiative in Costa Rica, demonstrating how locally driven, nature-based solutions can strengthen community and ecosystem resilience to climate change. Through the financing and implementation of five local adaptation projects across different regions of the country, FILACC delivered tangible environmental and social benefits while reinforcing community-led climate action. Each of these initiatives addressed specific challenges in its territory. In Aserrí, the program improved water management in rural communities by installing hydrometeorological stations and rainwater harvesting systems, enhancing water resilience. In the Tenorio-Miravalles Biological Corridor, it promoted terrestrial ecosystem restoration by recovering habitats and strengthening ecological connectivity. In Puntarenas, FILACC supported the implementation technologies to optimize water use and improve the sustainability of agricultural production in dry zones. In Talamanca, it reinforced water management in Bribri and Cabécar indigenous communities through capacity-building processes and micro-watershed restoration. Finally, in Marino Ballena National Park, the program strengthened the coral restoration laboratory, fostering reef regeneration and resilience in marine-coastal ecosystems. Climate Lead Group (CLG) supported Expertise France in the implementation of FILACC by developing a technical and financial monitoring system to ensure transparent and efficient fund management, providing ongoing technical assistance to strengthen project execution, and facilitating coordination between national institutions, including MINAE, and beneficiary organizations. CLG also supported communication, visibility, and knowledge exchange activities to capture lessons learned and promote the replicability of successful initiatives. Through these actions, FILACC generated tangible impacts on climate adaptation, from restoring degraded ecosystems to implementing advanced monitoring and resource management systems. Additionally, it has built a network of local, governmental, and international actors, promoting active community participation in planning and implementing climate strategies. Its collaborative approach has not only enhanced environmental resilience but also strengthened technical capacities, integrated traditional knowledge, and fostered adaptive governance models. FILACC stands as an example of effective international cooperation, demonstrating that local financing, aligned with national policies and global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework, can generate lasting impacts in the fight against climate change.