CBA20: Local solutions inspiring global action

The 20th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA20) will take place from 11-14 May 2026 in Manila, Philippines.

The CBA conference is a space for the adaptation community to share lessons on community-based and locally led adaptation approaches, 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.

CBA conferences are a space for learning and sharing experiences. With a focus on acquiring new skills and connecting with peers, the conference offers participants four days of discussion, debate, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange, through an innovative, dynamic and interactive space. This enables participants to make connections and develop strategies to promote locally-led climate action in their context.

CBA20 has three core themes, which will guide the plenaries and parallel sessions, as well as other initiatives running in parallel to the main conference (including the Shark Tank, accountability roundtables and project/community visits). The core themes are:

1. Achieving just and equitable adaptation in urban areas, with a particular focus on building the climate resilience of informal settlement communities
2. Scaling local level health investments as a critical adaptation response in the context of rising temperatures and escalating threats, and
3. Knowledge nexus – combining local, traditional and Indigenous Peoples knowledge systems with climate science to drive adaptation decision-making.

Finance, gender, decolonisation and equity will cut across all conference sessions.

Two of the days of the conference will feature parallel sessions under each theme. This will be followed by a day of community and project visits in the Metro Manila area, enabling participants to learn about locally led adaptation initiatives and share their knowledge. The final day will bring everything together in cross-cutting sessions and reflection on CBA over the past 20 years.

To find out more about what you can expect from the conference agenda go to the CBA20 webpage and sign up to receive email updates.

Information on the venue and local area, travel and accommodation, an overview event itinerary and more can be found in the conference information pack.

To help cover the costs of delivering the CBA20 conference and to provide sponsorships for local practitioners from around the world, CBA20 is a ticketed event with a tiered pricing system.

CBA conferences are grounded in principles of equity and inclusion, recognising the importance of amplifying the agency and voices of the most climate-vulnerable communities as they share their lived experiences and local adaptation priorities. Our tiered structure is designed to reflect these values, enabling organisations with greater resources to help subsidise participation for grassroots practitioners.

Please review the ticket details below to determine the appropriate tier for your organisation, and if you are unsure, we encourage you to select the higher tier to further support inclusive and equitable participation in the conference.

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

This includes organisations like:

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

For organisations that act as connectors between global strategies and local action. These organisations work at 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 regional NGOs
• Global South government agencies working on domestic climate adaptation, and
• 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.

This tier represents organisations and communities leading adaptation on the ground in the global South, 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
• Indigenous Peoples' organisations
• Grassroots networks and social movements
• Local civil society organisations, and
• Local government staff in least developed countries and Small Island Developing States.

Tickets include registration for the four-day conference, which features two days of thematic parallel sessions, a day of field visits and engaging, in-depth consultations and a final day of cross-cutting sessions and reflections.

Tickets also include a welcome reception, daily lunch and coffee breaks, an evening of short films, and the opportunity to join a half-day field visit.

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

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

Please have your payment information ready, and click the 'Get Tickets' button above 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 CBA20 (if you aren't able to access Google Docs please get in touch).

Paying by bank transfer

Paying by card is the safest, easiest and quickest way to complete your registration, however, if you are unable to do so and would like to pay via bank transfer, please complete this form or email [email protected] to request an invoice. Please note, your ticket will not be secured until the bank transfer payment reaches our bank account.

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

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 [email protected] as early as possible, but no later than one month before the event.

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.

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 [email protected].

By purchasing a ticket to CBA20 you agree to the following:

1. All participants are responsible for securing their own travel insurance.
2. IIED reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event or transfer it to another site if unforeseen circumstances warrant such action.
3. 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.
4. The event may be photographed and/or filmed on behalf of the organisers for display, distribution and broadcast, including on television and online. If you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please notify a member of the organising team on arrival at the event.
5. By registering you agree to receive periodic emails from [email protected] 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.

IIED, in partnership with Manila Observatory and Philippine Action for Community-Led Shelter Initiatives, Inc. (PACSII), will host CBA20 in the Philippines.

Header image: Informal settlement in Manila, Philippines (Photo: via )

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Novotel Manila Araneta City, Gen. Aguinaldo Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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