Building on the mentorship and capacity-building component of the Adaptation Network Colloquium held in July this year, a follow-up learning exchange and storytelling capacity-building visit took place in the Eastern Cape at the end of October. Various members of the Adaptation Network, with a focus on food systems, participated in this journey alongside the AN Coordinator and Mycelium Media Colab.

The CSO SEED Project included a range of activities aimed at enhancing skills and supporting climate adaptation initiatives. ​ Key activities included mentoring support for AN representatives, government policy engagements, publication of written materials, and conducting training sessions.

The Just Transition workshop focused on key concepts related to climate change, agroecology, and the need for a just transition in agriculture and food systems. Facilitated by Buyelaphi Sibiya and Nqobile Masuku, the workshop included discussions on the threats to food systems, the role of indigenous knowledge, and the principles of agroecology. Participants also engaged in practical exercises, such as sharing indigenous seeds, and intergenerational knowledge exchanges that bridged the gap between elders and younger community members. Additionally, the workshop provided a platform for discussing how to integrate these practices into local agricultural policy and development.

The Climate Action Youth Workshop aimed to empower young people in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve to take action on climate change. The event featured presentations on climate resilience, adaptation, and indigenous knowledge. Mr Farai Dondofema from SAF-Adapt introduced the youth to climate change adaptation opportunities, while Dr Lutendo Mugwedi shared insights on indigenous strategies for coping with climate impacts. After these talks, the youth were divided into groups to discuss and conceptualise climate change mitigation and adaptation, with feedback sessions allowing participants to share their ideas and thoughts.

Over the course of three days, small-scale farmers participated in a range of hands-on activities focused on sustainable farming, climate-smart agriculture, and agroecology. The event featured expert-led workshops, group exercises, site visits to local farms, and practical demonstrations. Key themes included agroecology, environmental stewardship, sustainable farming techniques, and climate change adaptation. Participants learned from one another’s experiences and were introduced to new farming techniques that are both environmentally and economically sustainable.